|
 VS 
ASK Riga - Lukoil Academic Game preview This historic showdown tips off the 2007-08 ULEB Cup season and will undoubtedly spark plenty of memories of the first-ever European continental club final played in 1958 and won by ASK, which won their rematch a year later and the 1960 title as well to become the first dynasty of European club basketball. Before this Group H encounter, a special ceremony and other celebrations are planned. As to the game itself, the surprise Latvian champions from Riga have opened their domestic campaign with two victories as A.J. Bramlett and Dwayne Broyles have carried the team, which will be making its ULEB Cup debut. However, due to injuries, ASK is without Ugis Vilums, Ernests Kalve and above all, star guard Curtis Millage, for Monday's opener. Lukoil, meanwhile, has become a regular in the competition, appearing in its fifth straight ULEB Cup. Zeljko Lukajic, who coached Hemofarm to the 2005 ULEB Cup semi-finals, has the Bulgarian champs in top form early going into the weekend with a perfect 7-0 record in their domestic competition And while Nenad Canak and Donta Smith lead the way for Lukajic's troops, Lukoil can also call upon the experience of the competition's all-time leading scorer, 30-year-old Todor Stoykov.
Betting preview According to Bulgarian press Lucoil have some important doubts in the roster. S.Smith and Da Rosa are questionable for this match and could miss this game or play limited minutes. Lucoil as a structure is not showing anything special in ULEB Cup last years in away matches (only 2 wins from 10 games) and it's hard them to win today in Riga against strong Riga. Riga is 3rd team in Baltic Region after Lietuvos Rytas and Zalgiris. They have deep roster and even with some injuries they still use 8-9 man rotation in their games. It's important for them to start well in this group because this is very tough group with Strasbourg, Artland, BC Kiev and Benetton fighting for 3 playoff spots. According to my estimation Lucoil should be outside in this group. Looking into today's game I see small advantage over the line if you have 1.97 for -6.5 handicap like at PinnacleSports. I expect ASK Riga to cover this handicap by 2-5 points at least because they always trying to play their best at home and with their defense they should be capable to win by 7 points. I expekt something like 79-71 today for Latvian side. But I recommend to take this pick only with medium-low stakes because we have only small advantage over the line and probably will need some luck to win it. Pick: ASK Riga -6.5 @ 1.97 PinnacleSports 3/10
New articles on this topic:
|
Free Picks 
