Zalgiris : Maccabi (1st nov 04) analysis and prediction

[dino500177]

Opening game, Zalgiris have biggest problems with squad, 3 players from start 5 in injured list: Sabonis (have problems with health and i doubt that he will play in this season), Bagatskis and Darjus Lavrinovic. Also Serapinas (average 20 pts) was injured in last game. Cota, Gustas left team. Of course Zalgiris have Peck from Pamesa, but he start season not soo good (14/45 shots in regular season). Finally Zalgiris have 3 good quality players: Pack, Beard, Jankunas. Maccabi have same team from last year and again looking for final four. Last season they meet 4 times: ZALGIRIS KAUNAS vs. MACCABI TEL AVIV Thursday, Mar 11, 2004 77-70 Sabonis 11 pts Cota 14 pts Gustas 13 pts MACCABI TEL AVIV vs ZALGIRIS KAUNAS Thursday, Apr 8, 2004 107-99 Sabonis 29 pts Cota 20 pts Gustas 1 pts ZALGIRIS KAUNAS vs. MACCABI TEL AVIV Thursday, Dec 4, 2003 87-91 Sabonis 18 pts Cota 12 pts Gustas 4 pts MACCABI TEL AVIV vs. ZALGIRIS KAUNAS Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 92-83 Sabonis 12 pts Cota 20 pts Gustas 8 pts Reasons to pick Maccabi: 1- Maccabi is Euroleague champion, their main goal in this season is to stay in this position and to do that you have to win games. 2 - Maccabi is even stronger then last year. They brought Komatos the leading scorer in the greak league in the previous year and a young isreali talent, who gives Maccabi a real fresh power under the basket. All the other "stars" - Sharas, Voicic, Parker, Burstein, Baston are still here. 3 - Zalgiris is missing some key starting players (Sabonis, Serapinas, Lavrinovic, Serapinas) and some more are doubtful (Salenga and Yarkonas ) 4 - Maccabi showed a good form in their preseason matches winning all 11 matches. 5 - Maccabi is almost the same team as last year so the players "know" each other, they now the drills and they just have to go & play and hopefully win. PICK: Maccabi -6.5 @ 1.98 Pinnaclesports 7/10

[dino500177]

Re: Zalgiris : Maccabi (1st nov 04) analysis and prediction Maccabi won by 27 points. Final score Zalgiris : Maccabi = 75 : 102