It’s a must win for Zalgiris Kaunas as they seek to secure a playoff qualification in a tough road game against Real Madrid.
Totals
Real Madrid have covered 64.3% of their total point overs at home this season which is tied 2nd best in the Euroleague (9-5). Madrid are entering this game having covered 6 consecutive Overs. The total for this game is 162 points which is a total that they’ve not had at home before but they’ve had a very close 162.5 point total once against Bayern Munich which resulted with an Over in a 91-78 win for Real Madrid. They also had a very close 161.5 point total against Olympiakos also resulting with an Over in a 94-78 win.
Zalgiris have the 3rd worst percentage of covered total point overs on the road this season at just 35.7% (5-9). After starting 4-1 with Overs, Zalgiris have had an Under in 8 of last 9 road games. They’ve not had a 162 point total but the closest to that they’ve had was a 163.5 point total against Gran Canaria which ended with an Under in a 73-66 loss for Zalgiris.
Handicaps
Real Madrid have covered 71.4% of their Handicaps at home this season which is 2nd best in the Euroleague. They’re 4.5 point favourites for this game and they’ve not had a -4.5 Handicap at home before this season but have had a very close -4 Handicap against Fenerbache at home which they covered in a 101-86 win.
Zalgiris have covered 57.1% of their road Handicaps which is tied 2nd best in the Euroleague (8-6) and they’ve covered each of their last 4 entering this game. They’ve not had a +4.5 road Handicap but have had a very close +4 road Handicap against Milano which they failed to cover in a 80-70 loss.
Recent H2H in Madrid
Zalgiris have had no success in Madrid in recent memory. Real Madrid have won 9 straight games against Zalgiris in front of their fans entering this game.
Most recently these teams met in Madrid last season and Real Madrid came away with a tough 88-81 win. In that game Zalgiris covered a +9.5 Handicap despite losing and total 164.5 points ended with an over as the teams totalled 169 points.
Injury Report
Real Madrid: Real Madrid could be quite depleted entering this game. Anthony Randolph is officially out. Rudy Fernandez is also likely out and considering this isn’t a big game for Real, they may be cautious with his injury and same can be applied to Sergio Llull who isn’t certain to play either. Felipe Reyes could return from rest and Gabriel Deck is on track to be back.
Zalgiris: Role Player Laurynas Birutis and captain Paulius Jankunas are both out. Zalgiris have adjusted well playing without their captain so it shouldn’t come as such a big issue that they’re down a couple of bodies for this game.
TIP OFF – 4th April 2019 – 8pm UK Time
