 Partizan vs. CSKA MoscowMATCH PREVIEWA mouth-watering Group D clash awaits at Belgrade’s Pionir Arena on Wednesday where Partizan hosts CSKA Moscow. The Serbian champs will have only victory on their minds when the only team not to lose yet this season comes to town. Partizan head coach Dusko Vujosevic has had his troops well prepared for every game this season and they have all gone to the wire – being decided by 5 points or less. Partizan is only 2-2, but has won both of its games at home. In fact, Partizan has won seven straight Euroleague home games dating back to last season. But CSKA can boast eight consecutive Euroleague wins overall, including last season’s Euroleague title.
Head coach Ettore Messina’s men have dominated as usual this season, winning three of their games by at least 20 points and holding their opponents to an average 59.5 points per game – by far the best in the league. CSKA also tops the Euroleague in three-point shooting with an incredible 48.3% success rate as well as assists and is second in rebounding. Reigning Euroleague MVP Ramunas Siskauskas is one of five players averaging double-figures in points – not counting injured veteran JR Holden – while a sixth, playmaker Zoran Planinic, is averaging 9.3. And now the champs will welcome back another start as team captain Matjaz Smodis could make his season debut after missing the start of the campaign with an ankle injury. But Partizan is not a team to be scared off by anyone else’s depth as every player on the roster has the confidence to play. Partizan’s dynamic duo thus far has been forwards Stephane Lasme and Novica Velickovic, who are among the best offensive rebounders in the league. Small forward Cedomir Vitkovac, giant center Slavko Vranes and reserve Zarko Rakocevic round out the tough Partizan frontcourt. CSKA boasts Terence Morris and Erazem Lorbek in the starting five with Aleksey Savrasenko, Smodis and Viktor Khryapa bringing their respective experience and athleticism off the bench.
BETTING ANALYSIS Partizan proved that they are still one of hottest home teams in Europe but do you remember how points they were down against AJ Milano? This weekend they were down by 16 points against Olimpija but again managed to win. Ok, they are young team with ambitions and desire to win but today they will meet the kings of Euroleaugue - CSKA Moscow. And unfortunately I can't see ANY line where Partizan is better than CSKA. However CSKA is still without J.R.Holden for next 4-6 weeks but they have Planinic, Siskauskas and Zisis to cover playmaker position and I don't think that each of this players is weaker than A.Rasic.
As for other aspects of the basketball game CSKA have the same tough defense, long and much better bench with M.Smodis coming from it in this game. CSKA also has winning mentality and CSKA has 5-1 head to head lead in 6 previuos games between these clubs. They lost only once in Top-16 phase in Belgrad when game did not have any importance for them but don't expect this to happen again in Belgrad. CSKA is top motivated for every match in Euroleague and they will dictate the tempo and their will against against Partizan which has some troubles in offense.
Sure 8.5 handicap on away side is not easy to trust when game is played in Belgrad but I believe that CSKA monsters will destroy all Partizan schemes and win this game by more than 10 points. My prediction: CSKA to win by 12 points.
Prediction: Partizan 65 - 78 CSKA Recommended as a TV-Pick: CSKA -8.5
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