VS

Zalgiris     Eldo Basket Napoli

predicted score

87-82

Pick: over 160 @ 1.83 Bet365.com

Zalgiris Kaunas hosts Eldo Napoli on Thursday in a Group C clash in Kaunas, Lithuania that already means a lot to both teams. Zalgiris and Napoli are coming off of opening night losses and need to avoid a long wait for a first victory. Zalgris went down 95-82 at Benetton Treviso despite Marko Popovic's 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting beyond the arc and 5 assists. Kirk Penney came off the bench for 18 points and 8 rebounds as Zalgiris shot well, but undid its effort with 25 turnovers - second most in the league last week. Napoli lost its Euroleague debut against defending champion CSKA Moscow, 64-74. Tierre Brown led Napoli with 24 points, but the team had problems on the perimeter, making only 2-of-20 attempts from downtown, while passing for a league-low 7 assists. Thursday's game will again rest on the point guards' shoulders, as Popovic and Brown try to carry their teams. The Zalgiris playmaker's chemistry with young backcourt mate Mantas Kalnietis and sharpshooter Penney create many offensive options for the team, particularly by spreading the floor for big guys Tanoka Beard, Paulius Jankunas and Hanno Mottola. Napoli counters with a mean defense, led by swingman Jeff Trepagnier, who can rotate to guard any perimeter position. With Trepagnier leading, Michel Morandais, Matteo Malaventura and Valerio Spinelli are all inspired to crack down on the defensive end. Another wing, Jay Larranaga, is better known for his three-point shooting. Napoli uses a battery of aggressive big men to crash the boards, led by Mason Rocca, Ansu Sesay and Alessandro Cittadini, who combined for 14 fouls last week. The situation in the paint will be worth keeping an eye on. If the Zalgiris big guys be able to withstand such tough play from the visitors, the home fans will have a better chance to celebrate something on Thursday.

Betting analysis

Zalgiris have big holes in defence especially in one-on-one defend and this is style how Napoli likes to play. More of that Napoli use agressive defense and forcing opponents to make turnovers, and Zalgiris playmakers are not looking impressive on their position. Both Kalnietis and Ginevicius doin too much mistakes.. Napoli scoring ability is somewhere about 78-79 points per game but today I would not be surprised if Napoli will score 82-84 points and winner will be decided in offense rather than in defence like it was in Treviso last week.

Zalgiris have Machado back today and this mean that lithuanians will have one more 3-point gun on the floor today together with Penney and Popovic. This trio could be make 100+ scoring night easily if they will find their shot. But Zalgiris needs to limit their turnovers down to 15 to win this game. I believe that Zalgiris as more experienced team will be able to find their game today at their really hot home arena where they are really tough to beat.

I expect up-tempo game with turnovers and easy points for Napoli, this will allow them to collect about 80-82 points today and maybe more. Zalgiris will win this game if they will play their game and will be able to score 85+ points, and with such shooting ability and roster they have good chance to make positive result today, while Napoli should learn how to win away games in Euroleague where home teams are really much better at home court, and only top teams like CSKA and TAU Ceramica can win away due the class difference. In this match class difference and experience in on lithuanian side, that's why I giving them more chances to earn first victory.

 VS

CSKA Moscow - Aris TT Bank

predicted score:

74 - 59

Pick: Under 144.5 @ 1.96 PinnacleSports

 VS

Benneton vs Zalgiris

predicted score:

82-78

Pick: Zalgiris Over 72 @ 1.88 10Bet.com