Spanish ACB Tecnyconta Zaragoza vs Baskonia Preview and Prediction

Date/Time:  09-29-2018, 12:15 EDT

Spread: Baskonia -13.5

Total: +164

In the opening week of the Spanish Basketball League (ACB or Liga Endesa), we have a battle between two squads that finished on mirror sides of the league table when the second-worse last year Zaragoza are visiting the second-best and finalists last year Baskonia.

Zaragoza had a 10-24 record last season and finished in the second-worse place of the league. They were 1-3 in their last 4 games last year and in their latest matchup they got defeated by Barcelona on the road, 100-84. Baskonia had a 25-9 record last season and finished in the 2^nd place of the league. They won their last three games last year and in their latest matchup they got defeated by Real Madrid at home in game three of the finals, 85-96 and lost the championship.

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Zaragoza were led in scoring by Gary Neal with 20.6 ppg. He also added 3.2 assists per game, while Milko Bjelica followed with 16 ppg and 4.7 rebounds per game. Dylan Ennis added 15.2 ppg. Baskonia were led in scoring by Tornike Shengelia with 13.7 ppg. He also led the team in rebounding with 6.1 per game, while Rodrigue Baeubois followed with 12.4 ppg. Jayson Granger added 9.3 ppg and also led the team in assists made with 5.1 per game.   

Last year those two squads met twice and each one had been victorious on the road. Baskonia won with a 74-98 score and Zaragoza with 73-78. Baskonia had a 15-2 home record last year, while Zaragoza had a 3-14 road record. Baskonia had the third-best offense in the league with 86.6 ppg to Zaragoza’s 81.71 and also had a better defense, allowing 78.4 ppg to Zaragoza’s 88.4 (second-worse). Baskonia had a better accuracy both from the field, shooting with 48.7% to Zaragoza’s 45% and from behind the arc, shooting with 38.7% to Zaragoza’s 34.4%. They were also better in assists made, with 19.3 to Zaragoza’s 13.7 and in rebounding, with 33.5 to Zaragoza’s 30, while Zaragoza were only better in turnovers committed (12.4 to 12.8). Baskonia have been superior to Zaragoza last season and this season will be the same. Expect them to win easily at home in the opener by more than 14 points.

Tecnyconta Zaragoza vs Baskonia Prediction: Baskonia -13.5 (-112)