I don't like today's games because at least 2 of 5 games are nobet type for me (Partizan & Barcelona), while others 2 (Fenerbahce & Aris) are games where I don't know what to expect because all scenarios are possible there. So only one game is left and this is central game of the day where Maccabi hosts Real Madrid. Big game but I will try to explain my point of view. 

 

VS.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs. Real Madrid 

Team news

Real Madrid:
- Madrid announced that point guard Raul Lopez would miss the game against Maccabi in Tel Aviv. He was replaced on the roster by 18-year-old swingman Bojan Bogdanovic.
- Tunceri expected play with anke injury
- Alex Mumbru leads his team in index ranking after 2 Top 16 games at 17 per game.
- Lazaros Papadopoulos expected to play some minutes because he recovered from his injury and did a flight to Israel
- Mumbru had 16 points in his team's home win against Olympiacos. Louis Bullock added 14 while Charles Smith had 13.
- Bullock is the team's leading scorer (13.5 ppg.) so far, but Felipe Reyes (12 ppg., 7.3 rpg.) is first overall in index ranking at 14.7 per game.

Maccabi Elite:
- Nikola Vujcic returned to practice and could return against Real Madrid after having missed the last game with a torn muscle.
- Marcus Fizer will miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
- Big man Esteban Batista was the Top 16 Week 2 MVP with a 27 index. He led the week in points (25) and rebounds (13).
- Terence Morris became the Euroleague's January MVP, averaging 13 points and 11.2 rebounds last month.
- Tal Burstein will miss the entire season with a knee injury.

Match overview by press

One of European basketball's oldest and greatest rivalries will be renewed on Thursday night when Maccabi Tel Aviv hosts Real Madrid at the Nokia Arena. The two foes have met 35 times in the past, with their first meeting coming more than 40 years ago in 1967. Madrid has the overall advantage, winning 21 of the 35 encounters, but Tel Aviv defeated Real by 15 points when the teams last met two years ago at the Nokia Arena.

However, the past will be of little relevance on Thursday as Maccabi's Final Four aspirations could be history if the team fails to claim a win. A defeat to the Spanish giant at the Nokia Arena will mean Maccabi will have almost no chance of finishing first in its top-16 group and will also dent its hopes of qualifying for the last eight via second position.

Maccabi enters the game still reeling from its 19 point loss (101-82) to Zalgiris Kaunas last week. The team struggled terribly in Lithuania without Marcus Fizer and Nikola Vujcic, but the Croatian center is expected to be fit to face Real, news which considerably boosts Tel Aviv's hopes. Everybody in the team knows the importance of this game," Sherf said. "All the players are ready for the game and Vujcic will play. We will have to stick to our game plan and maintain our composure throughout the entire encounter if we want to win. There's a lot of pressure on us, but we live for these nights."

For the clash tomorrow, whites recovered to Lazaros Papadopoulos, who will travel with the group and could enjoy a few minutes, after overcoming his injury in the hand, and Kerem Tunceri, which has restored its blow to the knee, but now a mild sprain in his right ankle.

Betting overview

In last 5 years Maccabi won 43 of 48 matches at home. This trend is saying a lot about their home court strength and how do they play at Nokia Arena. This is very important game for Maccabi and I would overstimate that loss to Zalgiris in Kaunas. Maccabi simply was out fuel in 2nd match half due the problems with a roster however this problem solved now with Vujcic back into the roster. Sure M.Fizer injury is seriuos loss but Batiste, Morris, Eliahu & Vujcic are capable to make rotation on powerforwards and centers positions quite comfortable. Maccabi guards also were not in the game in Kaunas and we should expect better level from them today at home arena.

Real have 2-0 record and huge problems on point guards position where regular playmayker is out (R.Lopez), his substitute was doubtful for this match but looks like Plaza did not have option to give him a rest so Tunceri will share minutes with youngster Bogdanovic today. Maybe Bullock will take some minutes here but for sure this is a match up problem Real should to solve during a game especially taking into consideration that Maccabi have very deep roster and many guards capable of doing some damage to Real defense. Lazarous is back for them and this could be a factor today because he is really big man while Maccabi don't such big center with Fizer out of the game. But let's be honest Lazarous is very far from his best form and now after injury I doubt about his playing skills.

Also motivation factor is playing for the hosts. They can't lose this game and with hot public support they should be extra motivated. Real on other side have 2-0 record and looks like Oly, Zalgiris and Maccabi will kill each other in next few weeks and by doing this will help  Real to promote into quarterfinals without any problems. Also Real played many games starting from Kings' cup and won most of the key games. Now it's time to take a rest and mentally it would not be easy to play with high concetration when you know that you are in more or less safe position.

Prediction: Maccabi at home always finds a way to win games. Sometimes they doing this by letting their opponent to build 10-15 pts lead, sometimes win in close matches, sometimes kill opponent from the start. Against Real with so many additional "bad factors" second and third scenario are more probable. I think that Maccabi will try to avoid physical game today because they have athletic & fast forwards with no BIG centers. Maybe some early press on Tunceri will be tried to force Real playing without true playmaker, and in the end Maccabi will have simply more tactical solutions how to win this game. Right now they have deeper roster and I expect to see Zvi Sherf's 7 wins in 8 matches. Reall will carry about handicap for sure so I think that Maccabi should not win more than 10 points.

Predicted score: Maccabi 84 - 78 Real

Pick: Maccabi to win @ 1.75 PinnacleSports