Euroleague Playoffs

FC Barcelona is probably the overwhelming favorite in this 5-game series as the offense is pretty dang good, with some quality shooters and a couple decent big guys in the post, most notably Chuck Eidson (played at South Carolina). Eidson has been battling a knee injury as of late, and actually has missed the past two games – played mildly in the most recent game, but he’s a nice part to the offense. Since the injury, this team has put up the following points per possession totals:

0.86

0.76

1.08

0.85

0.89

0.95

Chemistry just isn’t there without him, and considering this is a five game series, it might take a bit of work to get back in the mix. I would compare Kazan to a Western Illinois; Slowest team in the league, they use their posts in a majority of the offensive sets, and the offense flat out sucks. They’re a pretty veteran club, so I think they have the opportunity to slow this game down. These two met twice this year, both games went 75 and 69 possessions, with the most recent meeting hitting the 69 possession barrier. Not too many teams held Barcelona below the 70 possession barrier, and Kazan was actually in the most recent game despite losing by 13. Barcelona comes in struggling, and Unics Kazan comes in having completed a comeback in their most recent game after a tough couple weeks of competition. I think Unics match up well, but only if they can control the pace. Barcelona’s favored by so much b/c of earlier season results, whereas the offense just hasn’t been performing. Probably going to hit between 65-70 possessions, and barring FC Barcelona finding their offensive stroke, or Kazan somehow figuring out how to score. Just not the best of spots for either team with Barcelona coming in banged up, and Unics coming in having just played a couple tough weeks of basketball with very little offensive success. Might be more value playing the +12 or +13, just thought the under spot seemed more suitable.

No interest in the Pana/Maccabi game today, although this should be a good series (a bit concerned that Maccabi has had some three-point shooters leave the team, most notably Jon Scheyer – Duke). Also have a good series kicking off tomorrow in Olympiakos/Montepashci. Focus of the playoffs will be on these three series, no interest in the CSKA series.

GL