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Horse Racing Euroleague Week 1 Expert Picks for October 5th: 3 Picks for the Start of Euroleague Action
On October 5th, the Euroleague will finally begin. It should be exciting this year in the best European basketball league, as there were many changes in team rosters. There will be five games played on gameday 1, and expert Elek Lenard will give his free Euroleague betting picks.
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In this article:
- Euroleague Week 1 Expert Picks: 5th October
- Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs Partizan
- Barcelona vs Anadolu Efes
- Virtus Bologna vs Zalgiris
Euroleague Week 1 Expert Picks
Odds available as of 4th October,2023. Odds may differ now.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs Partizan: Will Maccabi defend their homecourt?
For our first pick of the night, we are taking a look at the Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Partizan game.Last season, Maccabi had one of the hottest homecourts in the league. They only lost two games in the whole regular season when they played at Mivtachim Arena. But the situation is different now. Their squad has seen some changes, and there also will be an important absence. Jasiel River, James Webb III, Tamir Blatt, and Antonius Cleveland have arrirved, while Jarell Martin, Darun Hilliard, Alex Poythress, and Jalen Adams left have left the team.
The player that Maccabi will miss this game is Wade Baldwin, who was their 2nd best player last year. It is a huge blow in terms of scoring, as he is one of Maccabi’s primary offensive options.
On the other side, Partizan had some turbulent changes and weren’t spectacular in the preparation games, but they already played a huge number of games and should be prepared. Leday was resting against in their latest game against Mornar, while other players’ minutes were balanced. There are some defensive concerns, but Partizan should have good offense again, and they also should be able to exploit the fact there is no Wade Baldwin for the team from Tel-Aviv.
Barcelona vs Anadolu Efes: Battle of the New Euroleague coaches
The most interesting game of the round will be between Barcelona and Anadolu Efes. These two European basketball powerhouses have both had coaching changes this offseason. While this will be the first Euroleague experience for Barcelona’s coach Roger Grimau, Erdem Can is familiar with being a part of the highest level of basketball in Europe, as he was long time assisting coach for the best coach in European basketball history, Željko Obradović.
Barcelona showed major weaknesses in the ACB games they played, losing to Real Madrid without Walter Tavares and barely winning against ACB newcomer, Palencia. Willy Hernangomez is still adjusting to European basketball, similar being with Jabari Parker. They lost Nikola Mirotic this offseason, which was a huge blow to the squad.
Anadolu Efes also had huge changes. Vasilije Micić went to the NBA to play for the OKC Thunder, so they replaced him with Darius Thompson, who was phenomenal last year playing for Baskonia. Erdem Can have taken a coaching job from Ergin Ataman. Overall, Efes doesn’t look that much weaker than last year, and they should be able to make this an equal game.
Virtus Bologna vs Zalgiris: Virtus Triumph with New Head Coach
Our final pick of the night will be from the Virtus Bologna vs Zalgiris Kaunas game. Virtus Bologna had a turbulent ending of the offseason. Sergio Scariolo got sacked, and the best coach of the FIBA 2023 World Cup, Luca Banchi, took his place. Luca returned to the Euroleague stage after 6 years, last time out coaching Brose Bamberg.
Virtus had some changes this summer, Milos Teodosic, Kyle Weems, Jaiteh, Bako, and Ojeleye left, while Ognjen Dobric, Jaleen Smith Bryant Dunston, Polonara, and Devontae Cacok arrived. They look stronger than last year, and a change of coach should bring freshness to this squad.
Zalgiris lost one of their starters just as the season had begun. Ignas Brazdeikis went to Olympiacos after a contract buy-out. Yes, Keenan Evans returned to the court, but he hasn’t looked as great as he was last year before injury. In place of Isaiah Taylor, there is Naz Mitrou Long, who had an underwhelming last year’s campaign as part of Milano.
Another acquisition, Brady Manek, showcased solid production at the domestic competition, but he will debut in the Euroleague now, which is much harder than the LKL. Also, Tyler Cavaughn isn’t there anymore. They have not been great in the LKL – they are 3-0, but both wins were against worse teams, and those were just in single digits.
For Virtus, Ognjen Dobric is questionable, but they should be able to win it against Zalgiris even if heis out. They already played a strong opponent in an official game, as they won the Italy Supercup against Milano. Zalgiris doesn’t have that opporutnity in Lithuania. Virtus should be prepared better and win while covering the handicap.
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