Check out the predictions by EuroLeague.net staff members for the Play-In Showdown finale Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Virtus Segafredo Bologna on Friday.
Postseason predictions: Baskonia vs. Virtus
Virtus will spring another ambush
by Geoff Gillingham
For the first time in a long time, Virtus is coming off a game in which it played the type of basketball that wowed fans across the continent during the first half of the season. On the road at red-hot Anadolu Efes Istanbul, the odds were stacked against Virtus, which had lost seven straight before Tuesday. Nonetheless, several of its veterans – namely Toko Shengelia, Marco Belinelli, Awudu Abass and Achille Polonara – came to the fore in a must-win clash in which Efes was held to just 64 points, its second-lowest tally this year. There was also a magnificent performance by Iffe Lundberg, who capped a fine display by hitting a dagger three-pointer to put the win on ice. I think Virtus will find a way to frustrate Baskonia and grab another win to set up a playoff series against Real Madrid in the 1-8 matchup. My pick: Virtus.
No Moneke, no problem for Baskonia
by Javier Gancedo
Things are not looking good for Baskonia right now. Suffering a clear loss against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and losing star forward Chima Moneke to injury are not the best news to deal with. Baskonia plays at home, in front of what will be a great crowd at Buesa Arena, and its trademark character will come out in this do-or-die game. Markus Howard, the EuroLeague's top scorer, strung together a lot of impressive performances before the game against Maccabi and should bounce back to his best level. He had 34 points against Virtus in a critical game barely a week ago. Matt Costello is used to playing at the power forward position, as is Tadas Sedekerkis, so despite losing Moneke, Baskonia has a lot of defensive weapons to use against Toko Shengelia. Long story short, home-court advantage and physicality should take Baskonia to the playoffs. My pick: Baskonia.
Virtus will disappoint Buesa Arena fans
by Igor Petrinovic
These two teams spit road victories this season, with Baskonia rallying to beat Virtus in Bologna just a week ago in the regular season finale. That victory earned Baskonia the right to host this game. But Virtus, somehow, manage to rise from the ashes on Tuesday and upset Anadolu Efes Istanbul at Sinan Erdem Dome, setting up a re-match. Virtus's veterans stepped up against Efes, and the team played inspired defense like it hasn't done in weeks, containing Shane Larkin in the first half and Will Clyburn in the second. I saw Virtus control the game against Baskonia a week ago for nearly three quarters before squandering all the good they had done in the final stages of the game. I say a more-confident Virtus rides its momentum from Tuesday, plays smarter and more poised in the second half, and gets a win at Buesa Arena to earn a playoff ticket. My pick: Virtus.
Baskonia by a whisker
by Frank Lawlor
We are in uncharted territory with the second win-or-go-home game in four days in the new Play-In Showdown. Virtus won the first one by turning out the lights on Efes and its crowd of 18,000 on Tuesday. I don't think that will be the case against Baskonia, a team that put up 95 points in Bologna a week ago in a game that both teams were desperate to win. Baskonia earned the right to host this second-chance play-in game, and despite Chima Moneke's absence, I think the hosts will use it. They have some dilemmas to solve, but the key will be game pace. If Baskonia can simply defend and rebound, new playoffs record-holder Codi Miller-McIntyre and top-ranked scorer Markus Howard, who dropped 34 on Virtus last week, will have room to do their magic. Baskonia on the move is a hard team to handle, even for top defenders like Daniel Hackett, Alejandro Pajola and Awudu Abass. Tough call, but I believe that Baskonia will show its famous character again. My pick, Baskonia.
Virtus will ride the wave all the way to Madrid
by Frankie Sacks
Momentum can be a fickle thing. But in sports, when you have it, it can be wicked good. Just a few days ago, it seemed that Efes and Baskonia had the wind at their backs, while Virtus was falling out of relevance. What a difference one night can make! Now, Efes is watching from home, Virtus is flying high after winning in Istanbul, and Baskonia's outlook has completely changed. Not only did Baskonia lose to Maccabi, but star forward Chima Moneke was injured and is not expected to play on Friday. Has the tide turned in Virtus's favor? I say yes. Look for Toko Shengelia and Marco Belinelli to lead the way as Virtus roars into the playoffs. My pick: Virtus.