Turkish attack against Lithuanian reliability. Prediction for the Beşiktaş - Žalgiris match
Besiktas JK
BC Zalgiris Kaunas
Beşiktaş and Žalgiris will meet on Friday, November 6, in the tenth round of the EuroLeague regular season. The game will be played in Istanbul at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, with tip-off scheduled for 18:00 Central European Time. I am backing a bet on the total points in this matchup.
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H2H and statistical facts
- Žalgiris have won six games in a row.
- The Lithuanian side are on a three-game winning streak in the EuroLeague.
- Beşiktaş have lost just one of their last five home games.
- The teams have never previously met in the EuroLeague.
Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş have had a mixed EuroLeague season so far. After nine rounds, the Istanbul side have recorded four wins and five losses, leaving them 11th in the standings. The team are averaging 90 points per game, but at the same time have serious defensive issues, with opponents scoring almost 92 points per contest against them.
Across their last five games in all competitions, Beşiktaş have recorded two wins and three losses. In the EuroLeague, the Turkish club fell to Anadolu Efes (80:89) and Olympiacos (73:81), before bouncing back on the road against Virtus with a dramatic 103:101 victory. In the domestic league, the Istanbul side also lost to Bahçeşehir (96:100), but responded with a convincing 93:76 win over Çayırova.
The victory in Bologna was particularly important for the team. Beşiktaş showed character by winning a high-scoring shootout against Virtus. Lonnie was the star of the game, finishing with 30 points, four rebounds and five assists. That attacking firepower gives the Turkish club a chance to compete seriously even against more organized opponents.
However, the squad situation could make the upcoming game more difficult: according to the preliminary medical report, Ismaël Sissoko is ruled out, while the availability of Devon Dotson, Trevor Jeffries and Furkan Korkmaz remains uncertain.
Žalgiris
Žalgiris look like the more stable team and sit 10th in the EuroLeague with five wins and four losses. The Lithuanians trail some of their rivals in scoring, but make up for it with quality defense. They concede an average of 84 points per game, which is considerably better than the figure posted by their upcoming opponents. Žalgiris also have a clear edge over Beşiktaş on the boards, averaging 35.3 rebounds compared with 27.2 per game.
The Lithuanian side are also performing well in the domestic championship. On October 25, they crushed Jonava 86:63, and on November 2 secured an important away win over their fierce rivals Rytas (94:89). The result was particularly valuable because the Lithuanian derby traditionally carries enormous significance for the fans. Žalgiris showed they can maintain their focus in tense finales and extended their winning streak to six games in all competitions.
Žalgiris' leading offensive star is Carsen Edwards, who averages 15.8 points per game. Center Jonas Valančiūnas also plays a crucial role, contributing 12.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest. Ąžuolas Tubelis adds another 11.3 points and six rebounds.
The Lithuanians are particularly dangerous around the rim and excel at winning the battle for rebounds. However, the team will have to manage without Nigel Williams-Goss, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
What to bet on?
The upcoming matchup promises an intriguing battle, as Beşiktaş are playing at home and can secure victory through their high-scoring offense and effective three-point shooting. However, Žalgiris look like the more balanced team. The Lithuanians are more reliable defensively, stronger on the boards and come into the game on a three-game EuroLeague winning streak. The Turkish club will have a tough time containing Valančiūnas and Edwards, especially if the visitors can impose themselves in the paint. I expect a closely contested game and recommend betting on the total to stay under 179 points.
