Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will finish its regular season when it hosts Lithuanian champion Zalgiris Kaunas on Friday.
Keys to victory: Baskonia vs Zalgiris
Controlling the paint is critical for Baskonia
Baskonia has won its last three home games and will look to give its fans one last chance to cheer. The recipe for winning this game could be controlling the paint as the metrics shine a light on the home team’s distinct advantages on the glass and two-point shooting. Baskonia has collected the second-most boards in the league this season (35.1 rpg.) and faces a team that has been outrebounded on average by 2.1 boards per game. Moreover, Zalgiris has the second-lowest two-point shooting (50.9%) and Baskonia is fifth on two-point defense (52.6%). If Matt Costello, Steven Enoch and co. control the paint, Baskonia’s chances rise.
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Zalgiris is at its best when it is most aggressive
Offense has been a problem for Zalgiris this season, but when the points flow, the team becomes much more dangerous. Zalgiris has averaged 81.7 points per game in its seven victories and 68.8 points in its losses. One of the big differences in those games is the team’s aggressiveness; Zalgiris has gotten to the foul line an average of 18 times per game in wins and just 12.9 times in losses. A more aggressive approach in attacking the basket and getting to the line more could be the ticket to a victory on the road this week.