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Unics Kazan vs. Artland Dragons
Unics is huge public favorite to win this game but I expect this game to be much closer than line suggest. According to some match reports Unics game did not work in Germany and it means that Artland against prepared very well for playoff series. Artland have 5 coaches and it's nothing strange that together they can analyze any team and prepare perfect game plan for their team. Artland won all key games this year and surprised many with a win over Triumph in first ULEB round. Now they have good chance to fight for promotion again. Sure now task looks more difficult because they must win this game (or lose it by 1 point) but with such deep roster as Artland have I think they will be ready for this game. They flight to Kazan on Sunday and this again shows how they are motivated to fight in this series. Sure those huge away losses at early stages are hard to ignore but now motivation is much higher.
Unics on other side played hard game vs Triumph this Saturday and phically Artland should have advantage because they did only one flight in last 10 days. While Unics did 2 flights and played one game. For unics Kirksay is questionable for this game, also Chikalkin was not in good form in last match.
I rate Artland chance to promote (and to win this game) as 25-30% so my odds on Artland to win this game would be around 3.5-4, and handicap line would be around 6.5-9 points. But not 13 points as some bookies have. I think that Unics is too much overestimated in this line and expect much closer game with possible surprise from Dragons.
Prediction: Unics 74 - 69 Artland
Pick: Artland +13 @ 1.98 PinnacleSports Dynamo Moscow vs. Lukoil Academic
Should be an easy game for Dynamo. They won 4 quarters in Bulgaria and now must cover 12 pts handicap at home. I expect them to build an early lead in the first half and finish this game in cruise control because they are much better team in all aspects of the game. Unfortunately it's very hard to predict such games because motivation is not a big factor here. But I expect to see Dynamo win by 12+ points.
Prediction: Dynamo 94 - 76 Lukoil
Pick: Dynamo (-12.5) @ 1.90 or Dynamo 1st half (-6.5)
Turow Zgorzelec - BC Kiev
Turow was much better team in first leg but now they have 12 pts advantage and it is another motivation. I am not sure that Turow will play only for a win, especially if this game will be very close. BC Kiev should be very motivated here because they were build to be in Final 8 and now they are one step from european season end. As for me Kiev could play better and maybe they will show this today. I expect low tempo game with low scores. Maybe Under 140 pts worth a hit but I don't like such totals in games where 140-145 pts range could be reached. DKV Joventut vs. BC Khimki
Everything will depend on coach decisions and game plans. Could be 180 pts game or 155, another huge Khimki win or close win.. Nobet game for me.
Kalise Gran Canaria vs. Galatasaray Cafe Crown
-24 pts after first game? Is it possible to recover? We will see. If Canaria will start strong and will manage to make early 15-20 pts like they did with Bosna I think that odds on Canaria to promote at 10.0 have very good chances to promote. Unfortunately I have not seen Galatasaray this year enough to have strong oppinion on this team but after watching their game against Asvel I would not say that this is a very strong team. In Spain everything is possible... if would be watching this game I would pick Granaria to promote (with odds over 10.0) into next round but this pick would only for fun.
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