Zalgiris Kaunas vs Olimpia Milano
Competition: Turkish Airlines Euroleague
Date: 29 November 2018
Time: 18:00 CET
Zalgiris Kaunas (W3 L6) are coming off two very competitive matches in the double game-week in the Euroleague, but despite their massive efforts they ended up losing both. First came a 99:97 overtime loss in Russia against CSKA Moscow, and in their last match they lost by a slim 83:84 at home against Khimki Moscow. Zalgiris Kaunas made a great start in the first quarter of that match and took a seven-point lead. Their opponents cut that lead down to two points by the end of the first half and took over in the second. Zalgiris Kaunas lost their lead during the third quarter and eventually lost to Khimki Moscow by the slimmest of deficits. Davies exploded for 23 points to go along with 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 15/18 free-throws. Grigonis backed him up with 13 points, while White and Wolters had 12 each, but no other player scored more than 6 points in that match. Zalgiris Kaunas have done a very weird job so far, losing all five home matches but winning three of their four on the road. They are sitting at the 10th spot of the league table and will surely look for a win here that would push them closer to the playoffs. Zalgiris Kaunas score an average of 83.3 points per match, while allowing 83.6 in the process. They will miss Paulius Jankunas once again here as he will be out for the next week or so.
On the other hand, Olimpia Milano (W6 L3) have been truly sensational this season but are coming into this match after suffering a loss in Spain against Barcelona. Olimpia Milano looked like their were focused in the first quarter of that match (24:25) but their focus quickly evaporated. Barcelona destroyed them both in the second (29:17) and the third quarter (21:12) to eventually start the fourth quarter leading by 20. Olimpia Milano did try to make a comeback in the final quarter but could only outscore their opponents by 10 to eventually lose by 90:80. But that was just their third loss in the season. Mike James erupted once again for 19 points, 10 assists, 4 steals, 3 triples and 2 rebounds, while Brooks backed him up with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Gudaitis had 13 points with 6 rebounds, while Kuzminskas and Jerrells had 10 points each. After that loss Armani Milano are sitting 5th in the Euroleague, scoring an average of 87.1 points per match, while allowing 84.3 in the process. Olimpia Milano will also have a couple of injury concerns, as Nemanja Nedovic and Amedeo Della Valle have been ruled out. This means heavy minutes for Mike James, and quite possibly another strong performance.
Previous 5 games:
Pieno Zvaigzdes vs Zalgiris Kaunas 68:109
Zalgiris Kaunas vs Khimki Moscow 83:84
CSKA Moscow vs Zalgiris Kaunas 99:97
Zalgiris Kaunas vs Siauliai 102:61
Zalgiris Kaunas vs Barcelona 85:88
Olimpia Milano vs Cremona 76:75
Barcelona vs Olimpia Milano 90:80
Olimpia Milano vs Baskonia 93:90
Venezia vs Olimpia Milano 81:84
Darussafaka vs Olimpia Milano 92:98
Zalgiris Kaunas vs Olimpia Milano: Head to Head Stats
Zalgiris Kaunas won both matches against Olimpia Milano last season quite easily. After a massive 62:94 in Italy they doubled their wins with a slim 77:65 in this venue. Zalgiris Kaunas have been dominant in this match-up over the years (W6 L2), and have been equally good as hosts (W3 L1).
Zalgiris Kaunas vs Olimpia Milano: Prediction
Zalgiris Kaunas have yet to win at home and feelings are starting to add up. They will surely look for their first home win of the season in the Euroleague, and also to wash off the two losses to the two Russian teams. They were very good in both matches and will surely feel they should have won at least one of those.
Zalgiris Kaunas vs Olimpia Milano: Betting Tips
Olimpia Milano will not only have to face a hungry Zalgiris Kaunas side, but they will also have to deal with their own injuries. This is should be a tough match between the two sides here, but I will take the home team to cover the -4.5 spread @1.90.
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