Unics Kazan - Hapoel Jerusalem, 25 September, 2014

BASKETBALL - EUROLEAGUE

UNICS KAZAN v HAPOEL JERUSALEM 

      
Hapoel Jerusalem - Nymburk : 94 - 84 
UNICS Kazan - Zielona Gora : 90 - 86 

Both Hapoel and UNICS had a convincing lead in their respective games but they both allowed their opponents to get back in the game. However, they kept their cool and secured this much expected clash in which both teams see a chance for themselves.

Yesterday brought expected results and the wins for the favorites. Hapoel had an easy showdown against Nymburk, controlling things right from the start. They were up by 20 at some points during the game. The Czechs did not give up and they got back to -6 (71-77) with five minutes to go but they  never got any closer. Hapoel played a calm end game and brought the game to a close in a routine manner.

Hapoel got quality reinforcements and arrived to Belgium with a goal of securing the Euroleague. Their players in the paint Jones and Gaffney got a combined total of 29 points and 16 rebounds, while Donta Smith added 14 points… top player was Bracey Wright with 22 points. They have a very good players : Donta Smith, Yaniv Green, Lior Eliahu, Halperin, Kitchen, Wright - all experienced, all played in Euroleague (or NBA) and even won Euroleague. This Hapoel team is one of the strongest teams that Hapoel had in past decade for sure.

Hapoel roster and other stats  http://www.euroleague.net/competition/teams/showteam?clubcode=JER&gamecode=6&seasoncode=EQR14

The Russians were huge favorites ahead of their game against Stelmet but the first games of the season can often be tricky. After taking the 46-32 lead at the start of the second half, it seemed that there wouldn`t be a problem. However, Stelmet tied the score at 51-51 and they did not give up when UNICS got a double-digit advantage once again. They even came to -1 on a couple of occasions but the Russians kept their cool and reached their goal.

Hapoel are much stronger than Zielona Gora, they have more individual quality and will not be so forgiving in terms of defensive mistakes. UNICS did a good job in offense yesterday as Langford and Jerrells took the lead (22 points each) but they need defensive aggression that they based their performances on last year.  Pedoulakis is a typical advocate of Greek basketball and it is certain that 90-86 is not the winning result he wants, especially not after allowing 54 points in the second half. 
UNICS roster and other stats  http://www.euroleague.net/competition/teams/showteam?clubcode=UNK&gamecode=6&seasoncode=EQR14

The matchup between Langford and Halperin will surely make sparks fly while Kaimakoglu and Eliyahu will be protagonists of another Euroleague-level duel in the wings. Expect any outcome from this game, because both teams have proved in the past that they are capable of anything. The winner will have a golden chance to be in the next Euroleague regular season. 

My prediction :

Yesterday’s matches went over 175 points, and that is the sole reason for this margin. However, both Stelmet and Nymburk are teams that lean more towards offense, play at a fast pace and are responsible for such efficient matches. Both matches also had more than 50 points scored in the last quarter, which I doubt will be the case today.

Hapoel won the Israeli Super Cup, and stayed below this margin in all three matches they played. Yesterday their coach wasn’t pleased with the way they played defense, nor did UNICS strategist Pedoulakis, and how could he when UNICS allowed 54 points in the second half and turned a won game into a complicated one. Today I expect both sides to play much more cautiously.

The stakes are huge, as the winner gets a step away from the Euroleague and I don’t expect a mad rush on the court. There is no shortage of offensive potential, but this is still the start of the season and the teams are not fully optimized. Pedoulakis embodies the Greek basketball philosophy, and we all know it’s base. I see this match UNDER, this margin is definitely set too high from my point of view.

• under 160.5 points - 1.90   | ✓