Regal Barcelona - Panathinaikos

I have waited for this game after the Top-16 draw happened and expected to see 5.5-6.5 points handicap on Barca to bet on it. And I got -6.5 when line has opened but it moved fast to -7.5 and now to -8.. Looks like public push the Barcelona button and totally ignoring fact that PAO also motivated in this game too.

Now points margin matters for both teams and PAO will fight for every point because in case of loss and Partizan winning in Athens few hours before they would be forced to win at home with higher margin in do-or-die game after 2 weeks.

Barcelona's form indicator and brain-leader Ricky Rubio is not at the best shape lately but he is talented enough to play on required level to help Barcelona to win this game but to win by double margin Barca needs to produce its top game this evening. And I have not see their top game for long time now because those big wins over out of form Joventud and Gran Canaria can misslead. It's better to take a look how Barca lost to Pamesa and Partizan, how they wasted 21 points handicap against Maroussi...

I have nothing against picking Barcelona in this game but I prefer to wait for odds around 1.55-1.70 at in-play at Betfair on Barca because should be ready for this game.

Maroussi - Partizan

I don't believe in Partizan outside of Pioneer arena but I also can't trust money to Maroussi at neutral ground which is more and more looking like a real home factor for them. I think that Partizan can raise odds on Maroussi during a game and I will wait for odds higher than 1.80 in first half to bet on Maroussi which looks a bit stronger on all positions.

Nobet before the game and wait for higher odds on Maroussi in first half.

Maccabi - Efes Pilsen

Efes is not suitable opponent for Maccabi because they have very deep and big-sized front court where Maccabi lacks people, creativity and offensive power. Efes also is very good at this moment with its shooting skills and this game could be a real test for Maccabi team.

I expect Efes Pilsen to show up strong in Tel Aviv and deliver many problems for Maccabi. I think that we can buy Efes Pilsen at 3.50 and sell them during in-play at Betfair at 2.40 or even cheaper price. Nice opportunity for in-play trading at Betfair.

Alternative option for pre-match betting is over 156.5 because in-form Efes Pilsen should be able to score 75 points and Maccabi at home can score this number too. But over bet has a risk because if Maccabi outside shots would not fall than this game might go under the total easily, i.e. Efes might win 72-78.

Montepaschi - Real Madrid

I am more than sure that Real Madrid with Kaukenas return to Siena will be a very hard nut for Montepaschi to crack it easily. Montepaschi is currently in downtrend and experiencing some inside problems with health and physical conditions which were a factor one week ago when Efes trashed them in Turkey.

Montepaschi is favorite in this match only because of strong home factor but they are not better team than Real Madrid these days. Real with healthy Bullock, Reyes and Hansen are much deeper team with many tactical solutions. I expect Real to stay in the game until the end and at some certain moments odds on them should drop down from 2.46 to 1.6-1.85. Another good opportunity for in-play trading.

Caja Laboral - Khimki

Caja will have Barac for this game and this should help them under the rim where Khimki is pretty good team. But Khimki still need to learn how to play against big team like Caja Laboral especially in playoff atmosphere which should on Caja Laboral arena this evening because victory has ultra importance for them under current situation.

Caja should be able to win this game by more than 5 points but I prefer to wait for less than 5 points handicap line at Bet365 during a game because Khimki can start well but they usually fail in 2nd half.