Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Liga ABC match.
The Liga Endesa play-off first round follows a best-of-three format, and after dropping the opening game, Joventut Badalona now face elimination.
Joventut Badalona
It would be inaccurate to claim Joventut Badalona were poor in the first game. While 81 points might appear modest, five players reached double figures, and the squad shot a respectable 45.9% from the field. Their struggles came from long range and the free-throw line, but it's worth noting that the game was played away. A stronger showing is expected on home court.
Iberostar Tenerife
There are growing concerns surrounding Iberostar Tenerife's offensive structure after their opening win. The standout performance came from 42-year-old Marcelo Huertas, who delivered an extraordinary 39 points—far above his recent output, having failed to surpass 20 in any of his previous ten games. Only Giorgi Shermadini joined him in scoring more than 10 points, with the rest of the squad offering limited support. The key question remains: can the veteran replicate such a performance?
Joventut Badalona vs Iberostar Tenerife Prediction
Home-court advantage could prove decisive here. Joventut Badalona possess the depth and quality to level the series, especially with Iberostar Tenerife leaning too heavily on the unpredictable form of Marcelo Huertas. This match-up looks set to go to a third game.
