Spanish ACB Tenerife vs Real Madrid Preview and Prediction

Date/Time:  09-30-2018, 13:15 EDT

Spread: Real Madrid -13

Total: +161.5

In this battle between two squads that clashed in the first round of last season’s playoffs of the Spanish Basketball League (ACB or Liga Endesa), the eighth last year Tenerife are visiting the defending champions of Real Madrid, who have eliminated them in last season’s quarterfinals with 2-0 wins.

Tenerife had a 19-15 record last season and finished in the eighth and final playoff spot of the league. They had back-to-back losses last season and in their latest matchup they got defeated by Real Madrid at home in game two, 75-84 and got eliminated. Real Madrid had a 30-4 record last season and finished on top of the league. They were 8-1 in their last 9 games last year and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Baskonia on the road in game four, 85-96 and returned to the throne of Spain.

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Tenerife were led in scoring by Mateusz Ponitka with 13.7 ppg. He also added 5.6 rebounds per game, while Mike Tobey followed with 11.1 pg and also led the team in rebounding with 6.6 per game. Tim Abromaitis added 10.4 ppg and 4.7 rebounds per game. Real Madrid were led in scoring by Luka Doncic with 16 ppg. He also added 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, while Sergio Llull followed with 10 ppg and also led the team in assists made with 4.5 per game. Trey Thompkins added 9.5 ppg and 5.1 rebounds per game.   

In their five matchups last year, Real Madrid had a perfect 5-0 including a 3-0 at home where they won by an average of 16.6 points. Real Madrid had a 16-1 home record last year, while Tenerife had a 6-11 road record. Real Madrid were better offensively, scoring a league-best of 89.7 ppg to Tenerife’s 78.9, while Tenerife were better defensively, allowing a third-best of 76.8 ppg to Real Madrid’s 79.1. Real had a better accuracy both from the field, shooting with 50.2% to Tenerife’s 46.1% and from behind the arc, shooting with 38.3% to Tenerife’s 34%. Real were also better in assists made, with 18.2 to Tenerife’s 17.4 and in rebounding, grabbing 34.4 to Tenerife’s 33.3, while both squads were almost equal in turnovers committed (12.2 and 12.3). The champions are looking to get back on track with a convincing win in the opening game so pick Real Madrid in this one.

Tenerife vs Real Madrid Prediction: Real Madrid -13 (-112)