Greek Basketball Playoffs: 31st May

[IsovitisGR]

Odds from Ladbrokes:

Panathinaikos-Olympiakos 1.20 21.00 4.20
Panathinaikos(-8)-Olympiakos 1.90 15.00 1.90
Marousi-Aris 1.61 15.00 2.30
Marousi(-4)-Aris 1.90 15.00 1.90


Here we go again!
Two matches tomorrow with different purposes for the two couples. Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are challenging for this year's championship and Marousi with Aris are challenging for the third place which leads to next year's Euroleague ticket (something like CL in football for those who don't watch basketball).

At the first match Panathinaikos is returning to their natural home (he played the previous games vs. Aris at his old home because Eurovision took place at the Olympic Stadium which is GREEN's natural home) to face the best Olympiakos' team of the last ten years! 20.000 or maybe more green fans will be on the side of Panathinaikos and the quality of their team leads me to take Panathinaikos(-8)@1.90. I also believe that this handicap will be much bigger in the next home game for the Greens so I believe it's a very good pick for at the moment!

On the other hand, Marousi vs. Aris game, I believe it's gonna be a tough derby. Both of the teams want to take the ticket to Euroleague as it means more funds! Marousi was a real TEAM the whole regular period and they were really strong in their home against Olympiakos, so my pick for that match will be Marousi@1.61 without handicap, as I am not sure that they'll win this easily.

So picks for tomorrow Panathinaikos(-8)@1.90 8/10 and Marousi@1.61 6/10

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Good stuff mate and good luck with your bets

[IsovitisGR]

Thnx Kiko!
Both of the matches start at 17:00(UK Time)

[yomayo]

U're red hot in playoff Iso. I saw <20% games this season so maybe u know it better but i'll go opposite.

+10 is too big for final. Both reached TOP16 Euroleague. H2H Athens Panathinaikos Olympiakos Piraeus 90:71 09.04.2006; Olympiakos Piraeus Athens Panathinaikos 84:77 17.12.2005.
I'm sure it will be +10 +15 after 1st half. But can they keep same level all 40 min? I'm not sure. My handicap is +6 +7, so I'll take +10 with small bet.


Maroussi - Aris +4.5
Maroussi Athens Aris Saloniki 51:66 29.04.2006
Aris Saloniki Maroussi Athens 62:52 21.01.2006

Marousi and Aris were the best defending teams of league, shooting 45-55% on 18-21 sec.
Aris rested a week more while Marousi had to play 5 games against Oly. Aris with fresher legs. +4.5 in close game is too big.

First game total 114, second 117. I'll take under 136 with medium stake.

I'm waiting for close game, it's a 50/50 so 2.55 for Aris is value.

So my losing picks are:
Oly +10
Aris +4.5
Aris ML
Maroussi - Aris under 136
N.Zizic over 7.5

Aris+4.5, under and Zizic over is my main bets.


Best of Luck Iso and all here on TDP

[IsovitisGR]

End of the first period:

Panathinaikos-Olympiakos 23-19

Marousi-Aris 23-12

[IsovitisGR]

End of the half time:

Panathinaikos-Olympiakos 45-44

Marousi-Aris 40-29


Olympiakos is very good at three point shots. I believe that in the second half things will be totally different in the game as Panathinaikos is a 2nd half team.
On the other game Aris is very bad today. Let's hope they'll continue like that...!

[IsovitisGR]

End of the 3rd period:

Panathinaikos-Olympiakos 62-54

Marousi-Aris 64-43

[IsovitisGR]

End of the games:

Panathinaikos-Olympiakos 82-76

Marousi-Aris 74-59


1/2 today. Small loss but that's the game! I hope luck will return at the next leg between the four teams!

P.S. Nice pick for the derby and Zizic (I think!) yomayo. Aris was really bad today...

[yomayo]

Cheers Isovitis,

Turned of my tv set after 3q. They was so bad, too much rest. From other side we'll get better odds and handicap in next Aris away game How much % do u give for Aris to win bronse?
Supersport1 and GR cabel showed Aris game, http://www.esake.gr/ is down and I dont know how much Zizic scored. Can u help me with it? My local bookie updeting in 30-60 min cant wait....

[IsovitisGR]

Sorry mate I had to go. I just saw that Zizic made only 2 points on the game. That's impressive imo cause he's a good player and Olympiakos did well in the match. Anyway that was unlucky but it was a value bet also. That's what matters after all!
As for the question about the third place I believe that Aris has better players than Marousi but Marousi has a better team and that's basketball all about. TEAM! So I believe that 70% it will be Marousi who'll take Euroleague's ticket!

More luck next time I hope...!