Predictions and Picks for EuroLeague Basketball Round 30 (March 17)

The EuroLeague returns this week with Round 30. The new round kicks off on Thursday, March 17, with three matchups, all of which I will analyze in my betting preview.

The games in question are the following:

Originally, there were supposed to be five EuroLeague games on the program on Thursday. However, two games featuring Russian clubs ended up canceled. The reason behind the cancelation is EuroLeague’s decision to kick out Russian clubs.

Without the three Russian teams – CSKA Moscow, Zenit Petersburg, and UNICS Kazan – the race for the playoffs has become even hotter.

Before getting the boot, all three were sitting in the EuroLeague Top 8. Now that they’re gone, even the teams from the bottom of the EuroLeague standings have a chance to get to the postseason. What this means is that the EuroLeague is bound to get even more exciting real soon!

Without Russians in the EuroLeague, Anadolu Efes’ chance of making the playoffs in 2022 looks much better. Still, the reigning champ’s job is far from finished. With a 12-10 record ahead of Round 30, Efes’ playoff future is still in jeopardy.

The good news for Efes players is that now everything is in their hands. If they get back to their winning ways, they will be able to book the ticket to the playoffs. Knowing that Ergin Ataman’s boys lost their previous two EuroLeague games – to Baskonia and Monaco – the clash with Zalgiris Kaunas could be crucial.

Sure, they play on the road on Thursday against a team that loves playing at home, but the player quality is undoubtedly on their side. This explains why the odds on Efes are just 1.40.

Two rivals from the Greek capital meet once again some three months after their first EuroLeague duel of the season. Olympiacos won that game, blowing Panathinaikos out 84-65.

Their previous EuroLeague duel took place on Panathinaikos’ turf. This Thursday, the two meet at Olympiacos’ Peace and Friendship Stadium. That is the place where Olympiacos is 6-1 in 2022, across all competitions.

When it comes to Olympiacos’ home record in the EuroLeague, this team is 11-1 this season, with a score differential of 948-795, which makes Olympiacos the best home side in the competition. Now that you know all this, you understand why my EuroLeague prediction for this game is a win for the hosts.  

It’s official – Real Madrid has booked the ticket for the EuroLeague playoffs. Even if Los Blancos lose all of their remaining five games in this competition, they will still remain in the Top 8.

This, however, doesn’t mean that they’re going to go into a relaxation mode in the EuroLeague. On the contrary, they wish to finish as high as possible in the EuroLeague standings so that they’d get an easier job in the postseason.

Right now, Los Blancos are second in the table, with just one win fewer than their arch-rival Barcelona. Taking over the top position would mean getting an upper hand over their biggest nemesis, which is why you can be sure Real Madrid players won’t lack any motivation in the remainder of the season.

But, neither will ASVEL Lyon players. With a 7-16 record, these guys still have a mathematical chance of making the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, their recent stats suggest otherwise.

Of all the EuroLeague teams, Lyon is by far in the worst form – this team doesn’t know of a win in their previous seven EuroLeague games.

There you have it, my top EuroLeague picks for Round 30 matches. If you like what you’re seeing, why not go to 888sport and place some bets? That’s the sportsbook I’ll be using this Thursday.