Why can ASVEL, who have lost three consecutive EuroLeague games, go into half-time ahead of Partizan? The French team perform much better in the opening 20 minutes than in the closing stages. ASVEL have just two wins from seven rounds, but have yet to lose a first half at home. Partizan look stronger in the standings with a 4:3 record. However, this bet is not on the full match.
ASVEL
ASVEL start home games boldly while their opponents are still adjusting their defence to counter their shooting and drives. The hosts led at half-time against Maccabi Tel Aviv (42:32), Valencia Basket (61:50) and Crvena zvezda (46:42). Three games, three first-half wins, each by more than the required 1.5 points. The Valencia Basket game is particularly revealing: the French club scored 61 points before the break, then squandered their lead and lost. That is why their poor overall results should not automatically be taken as a guide to the opening two quarters. However, the absence of the injured Mathis Dossou-Yovo limits their options under the basket.
Partizan
Partizan have a different problem: away from home, they do not always get their offence going from the opening minutes. They lost the first half in Munich (46:47) and Madrid (37:53). Against Paris Basketball and Fenerbahce, by contrast, they led at the break, but by just four and three points respectively. It is an inconsistent picture, and their win over Crvena zvezda in the previous round does not change that. Partizan are also without centre Tonye Jekiri, while Vanja Marinkovic is still recovering from surgery. This leaves the visitors with fewer options in the rebounding battle and when adjusting their defence.
ASVEL vs Partizan Prediction
ASVEL do not need to be the better team for all 40 minutes. A small lead after two quarters will be enough for the hosts to cover the selected handicap, and they have already delivered exactly that in all three home games. Partizan can improve after the break, especially if the French team start making defensive errors. But our bet does not require us to wait for that turnaround. Our prediction is ASVEL to win the first half with a -1.5-point handicap.
