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Written by Alleks   
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
 Finally last round of ULEB Cup group stage... Today we have 27 games and 54 teams with different motivation. Motivation is the most important factor in last round but I think this round of ULEB Cup could bring us some profit because there is many line movements and if we will choose right we can be on the winners side. Anyway don't forget about ULEB Cup miracles which happens often here. In this round overview I decided to write about 7 games where I have some thoughts to share.
 
 
CEZ Nymburk - Dynamo Moscow
This game will be played at Pardubice hockey arena and expected attendance is around 9500 people. Really hot atpmoshere is expected and it is big question for me how Dynamo will addopt in such circumstances. Dynamo is heavily liked by betting public but in my opinion they are not so strong as public suggest. They have good players, nice bench, good coach but their game is not so stable to trust them in every match. In the last 2 weeks they managed to lost to much weaker Ural Great away from home, this weekend they played overtime with Universitet Surgut one of the outsiders in Russian Superleague. And currently they don't show good level of play. It's hard to say why but seems that there is some problems with team chemistry on the court.

Nymburk was able to produce good game in Moscow but in 2nd half Dynamo showed offensive power and managed to win that match. But I feel that at home Nymburk can defeat this Dynamo. No, it's not a big confidence here but I expect this game to be close one at least with probable early hosts lead. Both teams looks to be motivated because both needs to win this one (or at least not to lose by many points) so defense should appear here from both sides. New gym is also is not a good sign for hosts offensive performance. And taking into account that Dynamo away total is too overestimated in ULEB cup I advice to take under here. Dynamo average total in Russian Superleague is only 149 points while in ULEB Cup it is 169 points. But here in ULEB Cup they played against offensive minded teams like Zvezda, Oostende and this is a reason of such high average numbers. Also first game result 94:83 is not telling the truth about total. 57 points were scored in last quarter (Dynamo did not miss single shot in that quarter and game FG was 78%).

In my opinion this game should end with total around 154-160 points and 166.5 is too much for this game. I would give 156-157 pts line here (76-80). Winner is hard to predict but 2.8 on Nymburk have value for sure at least for trading at betting exchange.

Pick: Under 165.5 @ 1.93 5/10 PinnacleSports

ASK Riga - Benetton Tamoil
Riga was looking as a much better team in first round game in Italy and if they would have some real motivation I would take them at 1.95. They have all weapons to this game even with Valters set a questionable for this game. But without motivation (I see only theoritical chances for them to qualify) it's hard for me to decide taking them. Benetton is without Gigli and Mensah-Bonsu is doubtful for this match with ankle injury (but flied to Ryga). Hard game is expected but Riga could be backed at 1.95 and higher.Value presents here. Right odds around 1.65.

Pick: Riga @ 1.95 2/10 PinnacleSports

Unics Kazan - EiffelTowers Den Bosch
Should be a one sided game but -21.5 looks like a bit too much. Unics don't need to trash them but with that kind of defense they currently have they can do it. Chikalkin missed last game against Ural Great due the knee injury and without him Unics was not loooking at offense so if he will be absent today i think this game could be decided by defense where Unics imroved since Petrovic became a coach. Something like 85-69 is expected here by me.

Pick: Under 163.5 @ 1.94 2/10 PinnacleSports

Hapoel Jerusalem - PGE Turow Zgorzelec
I liked Hapoel to win @ 1.90 but when line movement to -3.5 decided not to take them. They are still without Arnold, Felix is not showing anything special, Roberson sent off from the team, Slighters too.. Sure they will try to win because home factor is huge is here especially taking into account that Turow have no motivation but for some reason I think that Hapoel could suprised us.

D.Bank Skyliners - Azovmash Mariupol
Skyliners always fight at home and expect them to show their characted today. Azovmash is too overestimated here with their home win over Nancy, but they are missing their scorer Delininkaitis and taking into account that Azovmash is not a top-class team I have some doubts that they can win this one only on class. Skyliners lost only 2 games by more than 5 points  at home so far this season and having in mind that this game will be translated on Eurosport-2 I think Frankfurt will try to show their face. I expect tough game for both sides and I would be suprised with german side victory here.

Pick: Skyliners +5.5 @ 1.90 3/10 Bet365.com

Pamesa Valencia - Khimki
Pamesa is playing at home with full arena they should be capable of taking 1st place in the group. They had chances in Khimki even with injury-shortened roster and now they have perfect chance to show their class. Khimki have less experience in such games but definetely have good players. I don't expect easy game here but situational factor is on our side here because Pamesa needs to win this by more than 3 points and when winning margin we can expect full concentration from winner. So I expect Pamesa to win by 6-11 points in low tempo defensive style game.

Pick: Pamesa (-4.5) @ 1.86 4/10 PinnacleSports

Anwil Wloclawek - SLUC Nancy
Nancy needs to win this one badly and they can win this one. They have better roster, better experience and higher motivation. They only problem is home factor playing for Polish side. But this time Anwil will meet higher class opponents with huge motivation something they have never meet before because most of the teams played here were not so motivated. I think that Nancy coaching staff prepared a good game plan and Nancy will take so needed win here. And I hope by more than 5 points.

Pick: Nancy (-4) @ 1.90 3/10 Bet365.com
 
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