Spanish ACB Barcelona vs Baskonia Game 1 Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 06-04-2018, 15:00 EDT

Spread: Baskonia -6

Total: +167

The second and third best teams of the Spanish Basketball League (ACB or Liga Endesa) are clashing in the first game of this semifinals series, with the 3^rd Barcelona, who bounced back in the first round after losing the home opener and eliminated Andorra, visiting the 2^nd Baskonia, who swept Unicaja in the first round easily.

Barcelona had 22-9 record in the regular season and finished in the 3^rd place of the league. They are 4-1 in their last 5 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Andorra at home in game 3 with a 91-71 score. Baskonia had a 25-9 record in the regular season and finished 2^nd in the league. They are 8-1 in their last 9 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Unicaja on the road in game two with a 64-80 score.

Top Basketball Bookmakers

Barcelona are led in scoring by Thomas Heurtel with 13.1 ppg. He also leads the team in assists made, with 6.4 per game, while Ante Tomic follows with 10.6 ppg and a team-best 5.4 rebounds per game. Pierre Oriola adds 9.2 ppg and 4.1 rebounds per game. Baskonia are led in scoring by Tornike Shengelia with 15.5 ppg. He also leads the team in rebounding with 5.5 per game, while Rodrigue Beaubois follows with 11.5 ppg. Matt Janning adds 10.2 ppg.

This will be their 6^th meeting between those two teams so far this season, with Baskonia leading 3-2, having won both home games. Baskonia are 16-2 at home, while Barcelona have a 13-6 road record. Barcelona are better offensively, scoring a second-best 88.7 ppg, while Baskonia follow third with 86.5. Baskonia have a better defense, allowing 78.47 ppg to Barcelona’s 79.15. Barcelona are second-best in the league in accuracy both from the field with 49.9% to Baskonia’s 49.6% and from behind the arc with 40.2% to Baskonia’s 38%. Barcelona commit fewer turnovers (11.6 to 12.7) and dish more assists (20.3 to 19.5), while Baskonia grab more boards per game (33.8 to 32.5). Baskonia have been perfect at home against Barcelona so far this season and have lost only twice so far. Expect them to remain undefeated today and get away with another home win against Barcelona.

Barcelona vs Baskonia Game 1 Prediction: Baskonia -6 (-113)