Vreston's European Basketball Thread 2011-2012

[Vreston]

Hi everyone!
I hope you all had a great summer!

I have been waiting for European Basketball to start up again and finally it has.

Anyone who has followed me knows I don't make tons of plays just to post plays. I post plays I really like and things your average guy can follow. I also don't post units. Anybody can choose to risk the units he likes.

I'll start with the European Basketball Championship which started today in Lithuania. 24 National teams will be competing against each other to decide the European Champion.

I would like to do a small write up about the European Championship, but I will have to do it later.

[Vreston]

These are my first picks for the Eurobasket:

Croatia-Finland
Pick: Croatia -12.5 @ 1.90

Greece-Bosnia and Hersegovina
Pick: Greece -14.5 @ 1.90

Lithuania-Great Britain
Pick: Lithuania -14.5 @ 1.90

I wanted to make some plays on the early games, but I was out and couldn't.


Let's get this party started!!!

[skinnyman]

I'm on the Greece GL wagon, already have big(gish) bet -13,5 @ 1.90

Bosnia had abysmal results in prep games and team is in awful spirit, unless Greece takes it amazingly slow or there is some shady business going on they are taking this easily with over 20 points difference.

[skinnyman]

Spain, doing one for the bookies

[kobstopa]

good luck

[skinnyman]

Damn, Greece barely wanted this, had 14 but then missed crucial 3 pointers

[tullamore21]

i remember the opening day at 2 years ago, when there were upsets, but this might is the stranger opening day ever.
Good Luck, we will get them soon!!

[Vreston]

These are my first picks for the Eurobasket:

Croatia-Finland
Pick: Croatia -12.5 @ 1.90 - Loss (84-79)

Greece-Bosnia and Hersegovina
Pick: Greece -14.5 @ 1.90 - Loss (76-67)

Lithuania-Great Britain
Pick: Lithuania -14.5 @ 1.90 - Loss (80-69)

I wanted to make some plays on the early games, but I was out and couldn't.


Let's get this party started!!!

Wow! What a bad start! All of these teams I picked seemed to just want to take it light. Greece stepped it up in the 2nd half and was close to the cover but made stupid mistakes. They were up by 13 with 1 minute to go and missed 3 attempts I think and got a technical foul called on them to make this a 9 point win for them and a loss for me...

I also was very surprised at how the Croatia-Finland game went. Finland is off the basketball map as a country, but managed to keep this game close. They were also up at the half. Croatia did not function well as a team with a lot of turnovers. They do have a lot of talented players though, but it seems they have to work better together as a team.

The Lithuania game I didn't see, but again they just let off the gas it seems. They were up by 10 at the half and then came out weak. It turns out they won only by 11. A little too short for us, but enough for them to get a comfortable win.

Oh well, I just have to get up and move on to the next games.

Also I was impressed (and surprised) by some of the other outcomes. Spain was a 22.5 pt. favorite and only won by 5 against Poland which is a team with very serious absences. Its 2 best players aren't even on the team whereas Spain is complete.
Also France with 5 NBAers (!) including Tony Parker and Chicago Bulls' Noah was a 20 point favorite against a weak in comparison Latvia and only won by 9.

[alamo]

Little tip, Take the plus points. No team wants to blow out another. Its all about getting the "W"

[Vreston]

I don't think that 15 points would be considered a blowout in both the Greece and Lithuania games. I think it was mostly a nervous start. Today Spain is favored by more than 30 points. Now that would be a blowout.

[Vreston]

For today I'm rolling with this play:

Eurobasket:

Finland - Greece
Pick: Greece -11.5 @ 1.90

This line is at bwin. I most always use Bet365 unless otherwise stated. They have it at -12.5 now.

Adding:

Great Britain-Turkey
Pick: Turkey -8.5 @ 1.90

[tullamore21]

i didn't like Greece yesterday. I think it was something more than a nervous start. No perimeter offense for Greece at that first game. The only good thing that made a difference was Kostas Koufos and Mike Bramos. Greece will damage Finland tonight, a very weak team even for this fresh Greek one.

Good luck

[Vreston]

For today I'm rolling with this play:

Eurobasket:

Finland - Greece
Pick: Greece -11.5 @ 1.90 - Won (61-81)

This line is at bwin. I most always use Bet365 unless otherwise stated. They have it at -12.5 now.

Adding:

Great Britain-Turkey
Pick: Turkey -8.5 @ 1.90 - Won (61-90)

Now that's more like it!

Both Greece and Turkey were in command of their games. Honestly I was never in doubt both teams would win. It was the cover I was worried about. Greece was ahead the whole game, but never seemed to really pull away so I could feel safe. In the last quarter they did though and that's what matters.

Turkey also started and finished the game strong. They were in control the whole time. They seem to be getting their act together now because in the tournaments before the Eurobasket they were not functioning that well as a "team". They have talented players though and have the potential to go far.

Lithuania, like Greece, won by 20 points against Poland. They will work the bugs out and get rid of the nervousness they had yesterday.

Spain won again, but didn't cover (again). They beat Portugal by 14 points though they were favored by more than 31!

[Vreston]

There are some tougher match-ups today in my opinion.

Spain hasn't covered in both its previous games. They are one of the best teams and favored to win it all. Also they are playing complete with all their star players. I don't know why they haven't dominated the previous games more, but teams like that with players like that have pride too. I'm going for them to cover today against Great Britain which doesn't have much to offer and is one of the weaker teams in the competition.
Great Britain is a new team and was made from the beginning about a year ago in light of the London Olympics. They do have a good coach though, the American Chris Finch. They don't have their best center Mensa-Bonsu or Ben Gordon. But they have the Bulls' Deng. Not much else.
I'll take my chances today with them and hope they break loose. This is an early game by the way.

Spain-Great Britain
Pick: Spain -21.5 @ 1.90 (bwin)
(bet365 has it at -22 now so better line at bwin at the moment)

[Vreston]

There are some tougher match-ups today in my opinion.

Spain hasn't covered in both its previous games. They are one of the best teams and favored to win it all. Also they are playing complete with all their star players. I don't know why they haven't dominated the previous games more, but teams like that with players like that have pride too. I'm going for them to cover today against Great Britain which doesn't have much to offer and is one of the weaker teams in the competition.
Great Britain is a new team and was made from the beginning about a year ago in light of the London Olympics. They do have a good coach though, the American Chris Finch. They don't have their best center Mensa-Bonsu or Ben Gordon. But they have the Bulls' Deng. Not much else.
I'll take my chances today with them and hope they break loose. This is an early game by the way.

Spain-Great Britain
Pick: Spain -21.5 @ 1.90 (bwin) - Loss (86-69)
(bet365 has it at -22 now so better line at bwin at the moment)

Spain was up by 25 with about a minute left and just sat back and let Great Britain score 3 3pointers on them! Blew the cover and my respect. I knew I was taking a risk with those guys.

[Vreston]

Hi everyone!

Yesterday I stayed away from the games and I'm happy about that!

Today I'm on:

Italy - France
Pick: France -8 @ 1.90


Poland - Turkey
Pick: Turkey -13.5 @ 1.90

[Vreston]

I'm adding this play:


Montenegro - Greece
Pick: Greece -6.5 @ 1.90

I was thinking about this one for a while and I think that Greece will come back today after yesterday's loss. I think I would never have got this number otherwise so I'll take it. Sometimes a team needs a loss to straighten up. Hopefully that is what will happen today.

As for Turkey, they have shown character in this tournament where it counts and they are in a very difficult group so they will want to get this win to be safe. No fooling around.

As for France, I think they have too good a team to lose to the Italians. OK the Italians have 3 NBAers, but they haven't proven themselves to me as a team yet. France has 5 NBAers too. I'll take them at that number.

[tullamore21]

Turkey???
what was that? i cannot understand some results at this tournament at all.
Turkey is almost out

[Vreston]

I know!
They looked pretty strong and serious compared to the friendlies before the tournament. It's especially surprising because the loss came from Poland which is not famous for its strong basketball.
I was pretty disappointed by France. They cost me the win by just a basket.

[Vreston]

Hi everyone!

Yesterday I stayed away from the games and I'm happy about that!

Today I'm on:

Italy - France
Pick: France -8 @ 1.90 - Loss (84-91)


Poland - Turkey
Pick: Turkey -13.5 @ 1.90 - Loss (84-83)

I'm pretty disappointed about France costing me the win by a basket. As for Turkey, what can I say? I didn't expect it.

[Vreston]

I'm adding this play:


Montenegro - Greece
Pick: Greece -6.5 @ 1.90 - Won (55-71)

I was thinking about this one for a while and I think that Greece will come back today after yesterday's loss. I think I would never have got this number otherwise so I'll take it. Sometimes a team needs a loss to straighten up. Hopefully that is what will happen today.

As for Turkey, they have shown character in this tournament where it counts and they are in a very difficult group so they will want to get this win to be safe. No fooling around.

As for France, I think they have too good a team to lose to the Italians. OK the Italians have 3 NBAers, but they haven't proven themselves to me as a team yet. France has 5 NBAers too. I'll take them at that number.

Greece saved the day for me with a strong win. To be truthful they scared me in the first half because they took too many shots from 3pt range which were not on the mark. As soon as they started playing inside they took a strong lead. Also they had the chance to capitalize on the fast break thanks to their strong defense.

[kobstopa]

Greece saved the day for me with a strong win. To be truthful they scared me in the first half because they took too many shots from 3pt range which were not on the mark. As soon as they started playing inside they took a strong lead. Also they had the chance to capitalize on the fast break thanks to their strong defense.

I was on Greece as well, -6.5 was an easy one after a bad loss but ger-Serb screwed me up with the under.

[Vreston]

Hey everybody!

I'm starting to get warmed up in Euroleague and also the European leagues have started. I'm starting to get an idea about how the teams are and their strengths. I don't really like making plays on the first few games as many times it's too unpredictable.

Today we have some Euroleague games on tap.

I had a play on the KK Zagreb - Panathinaikos game, but I didn't post it in time so I'm just putting out the following play.


Caja Laboral - Cantu
Pick: Cantu +10 @ 1.90

Caja Laboral will host Cantu tonight. Cantu is in good shape and are going into this game undefeated after 3 games in Italy and one in Euroleague. Their opponents up to now have not been as strong as Caja Laboral, but still since it's early in the season I can't be sure that Caja will be as strong as expected and will probaly rely more on specific player performances. I think the line of 10 is a good one so I'll take Cantu and the points.

Hopefully we'll have a positive start to the Euroleague season.

[kobstopa]

There he is, good luck
I like this play

[tullamore21]

ti gamimeni mera re pousti mou...
einai dunaton?

what da **** was that??? Cantu was down 2 points at the end of the third quarter and somehow lost 12...
I was +10 too.
i was Huge on Efes -9,5 (1.42) and Efes -15,5 and they LOST!!!

what a stupid day...

[Vreston]

Hey everybody!

I'm starting to get warmed up in Euroleague and also the European leagues have started. I'm starting to get an idea about how the teams are and their strengths. I don't really like making plays on the first few games as many times it's too unpredictable.

Today we have some Euroleague games on tap.

I had a play on the KK Zagreb - Panathinaikos game, but I didn't post it in time so I'm just putting out the following play.


Caja Laboral - Cantu
Pick: Cantu +10 @ 1.90 - Loss (81-69)

Caja Laboral will host Cantu tonight. Cantu is in good shape and are going into this game undefeated after 3 games in Italy and one in Euroleague. Their opponents up to now have not been as strong as Caja Laboral, but still since it's early in the season I can't be sure that Caja will be as strong as expected and will probaly rely more on specific player performances. I think the line of 10 is a good one so I'll take Cantu and the points.

Hopefully we'll have a positive start to the Euroleague season.

It was 77-69 with 1 second left. I don't know WTF happened! I thought it was a winner and when I saw the final score I freaked out. It turns out that the under 152.5 for the KK Zagreb - Panathinaikos game was a winner and it was the play I didn't post in time. I should've known. If things don't go my way it's a bad sign. Anyway, got to move on.

[Vreston]

ti gamimeni mera re pousti mou...
einai dunaton?

what da **** was that??? Cantu was down 2 points at the end of the third quarter and somehow lost 12...
I was +10 too.
i was Huge on Efes -9,5 (1.42) and Efes -15,5 and they LOST!!!

what a stupid day...

I wasn't on Efes, but I can't really believe how Cantu lost the cover on that one! That's the breaks I guess.

[Vreston]

There he is, good luck
I like this play

Thanks man! I'm glad to be back. Hope to continue making money off European basketball this year.

[kobstopa]

Thanks man! I'm glad to be back. Hope to continue making money off European basketball this year.

tomorrow's card should be a good one, good luck

[stathisgate77]

take fener tommorrow

φιλε vreston ελληνας?

[Vreston]

I was working all day and got home when the games were in the 4th quarter so I didn't make any plays. Hope the rest of you were successful!

take fener tommorrow

φιλε vreston ελληνας?

Yes!

[Vreston]

I've got some Euroleague Basketball picks for today. I'll post them right now because I have I have to get to work fast so here they are:

Unics Kazan - Barcelona
Pick: Barcelona -8 @ 1.90 (Last night it was @ -7.5)


Milano - Anadolu Efes
Pick: Milano -5.5 @ 1.90


Maccabi Electra - Real Madrid
Pick: Maccabi -3.5 @ 1.90 (I don't know if I'll see Maccabi at -3.5 at home again this year).


Cantu - Bilbao
Pick: Cantu -2 @ 1.90

I like both these teams but I'm rolling with Cantu at home by a basket.

Hopefully when I get back from work I'll have four winners!

[Vreston]

I've got some Euroleague Basketball picks for today. I'll post them right now because I have I have to get to work fast so here they are:

Unics Kazan - Barcelona
Pick: Barcelona -8 @ 1.90 - Won (65-93) (Last night it was @ -7.5)


Milano - Anadolu Efes
Pick: Milano -5.5 @ 1.90 - Loss (54-62)


Maccabi Electra - Real Madrid
Pick: Maccabi -3.5 @ 1.90 - Won (88-82)
(I don't know if I'll see Maccabi at -3.5 at home again this year).


Cantu - Bilbao
Pick: Cantu -2 @ 1.90 - Won (78-69)

I like both these teams but I'm rolling with Cantu at home by a basket.

Hopefully when I get back from work I'll have four winners!

A pretty good day today. Finishing off on the winning side.

[tullamore21]

great job!!! Congrats

Efes ML was my only play last night, but it was a fun bet... to be honest i didn't even watched the game. Wednesday was a total disappointment for me. I had Caja Laboral -7,5 and Montepaschi Under 147... lol, so i decided to pass "Thursday".

I am on Zalgiris tonight. What do you think?

[Vreston]

great job!!! Congrats

Efes ML was my only play last night, but it was a fun bet... to be honest i didn't even watched the game. Wednesday was a total disappointment for me. I had Caja Laboral -7,5 and Montepaschi Under 147... lol, so i decided to pass "Thursday".

I am on Zalgiris tonight. What do you think?

I'm not touching this game, but at +15.5 I was thinking earlier that it was probably the better play. Now it's at +13.5. That complicates things. Mostly bcs I don't have a solid opinion about Zalgiris yet.
BOL to you!