Shenzhen Leopards vs Beijing Royal Fighters Prediction, Picks, Odds, News, H2H on 4/10/24

The CBA Playoffs have finally arrived, marking an exciting phase in the basketball season. While the top four teams from the regular season await their opponents, teams seeded fifth through twelfth compete for their spot in the quarter-finals. We will have the opportunity to watch two games, one of which will be between the 7th-seeded Shenzhen Leopards and the 10th-seeded Beijing Royal Fighters. This matchup will see a rematch just three days later, this time hosted in Beijing. Our Leopards vs Royal Fighters prediction and betting picks are available below!

The bookmakers favor the Shenzhen Leopards with odds of 1.35, with a point spread set at +/- 8 points. With this projection, we anticipate a victory for the Leopards, considering them as one of the dark horses capable of making a title run.

LEOPARDS VS ROYAL FIGHTERS Prediction and Picks 

• Selection: Leopards to cover the -8 AH spread
• Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: 1xBet
• Stake: 5/10

Odds are as of April 10th, 2024. Odds may now differ. 

A clash of opposing playstyles is expected when the Leopards and the Royal Fighters meet. The home team boasts a reputation for formidable defense and swift transitions stemming from their solid defensive foundation. Contrarily, the visitors are recognized for their offensive prowess, a strength that will undoubtedly be put to the test against the Leopards’ defense.

The Shenzhen Leopards entered the playoffs on a high note, boasting a three-game winning streak until their recent setback, a 107:102 loss at home against the underdog Beijing Ducks. However, that defeat held little significance as the Leopards had already secured the 7th seed and had no opportunity to improve their standing. In Shenzhen, the Leopards were pretty good, winning 17 out of 26 matches (65%), particularly excelling against mid-to-lower-ranked teams in the league.

On the other hand, the Royal Fighters are entering the playoffs after losing five of the last seven matches! Their only wins were against Jiangsu Dragons (100:84) and Jilin Tigers (125:109), which are among the worst teams in the league. Away from home, the Beijing Royal Fighters had very little success against the top seven seeds. So far, they have won only two of nine games (22.2%). 

Facing a significant size disadvantage, the Royal Fighters must strive to match their opponents in rebounding, a challenge they failed to meet in their previous encounters this season. Additionally, slowing down Jared Sullinger will be crucial, but we do not think the Royal Fighters have the personnel to do so. Consequently, we anticipate Sullinger to emerge as the standout player in the series, further tilting the scales in favor of the Leopards.

LEOPARDS VS ROYAL FIGHTERS GAME INFO

• Date: Wednesday, 10th April, 2024
• Time: 13:35 CEST
• Arena: Lonhua Cultural and Sports Center Hall
• Location: Shenzhen

SHENZHEN LEOPARDS TEAM NEWS

The Shenzhen Leopards will have to adjust to a change in venue for their home games in the first round of the playoffs, as they won’t be playing at their usual Shenzhen Dayun Arena. Chinese media reports indicate that a scheduling conflict with Li Zongseng’s concert led the club to relocate its games. However, this change shouldn’t disrupt the team significantly, as they’ll now compete at the Lonhua Cultural and Sports Center Hall, a mere 26 km away from the Dayun Arena. Should the Leopards advance to the next phase, they’ll resume playing at the Dayun Arena.

In a strategic move about two weeks prior to the end of the regular season, the club opted to waive off USA guard Darius Adams. The 34-year-old’s inconsistent performance throughout the season prompted this decision, leading the team to replace him with Kasey Hill. However, Hill is still in the process of adapting and has seen limited playing time in the first two games with the team.

BEIJING ROYAL FIGHTERS TEAM NEWS

In preparation for the playoffs, one of the Shenzhen Leopards’ foreign players, Grant Riller, was sidelined for the previous game to recuperate from a minor injury. The 27-year-old American guard, known for his contributions on the court, averages 15.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, all while playing an average of 17.3 minutes.

Moreover, the Leopards received a boost with the return of center Yuchen Zou, who rejoined the team against Shanxi Zhongyu after sitting out the previous three games. Zou’s presence on the court will be crucial, particularly in the task of containing the formidable Jared Sullinger.

LEOPARDS VS ROYAL FIGHTERS H2H

These teams met twice this season, with Shenzhen Leopards winning both matches and covering the spread of 6.0 and 6.5 points on both occasions. 

• Jan 15, 2024 – Beijing Royal Fighters vs Shenzhen Leopards – 91:111
• Oct 26, 2023 – Shenzhen Leopards vs Beijing Royal Fighters – 115:104

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