Valencia try to attack before their opponents can set their defence. Hapoel Tel Aviv can also score after a lengthy possession, finding a weak defender to target one-on-one. The hosts will try to increase the pace, while the visitors have enough capable players to respond. We should therefore expect spells when the teams regularly trade baskets.
Valencia
Valencia are keen to push the pace after rebounds and steals. T J Shorts helps get the ball to the opposition basket quickly, while Nikola Mirotic forces the defence to account for his outside shooting too. The Spanish team have won all three of their opening EuroLeague games, averaging 104 points per game. Each game produced at least 190 points in total. Against ASVEL Basket, their defence struggled for long spells to contain their opponents' outside shooting, and they had to cut the deficit through their own offence. So even a lead for the hosts does not necessarily mean the scoring will slow down.
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Hapoel Tel Aviv have players who can create shots against an organised defence. Vasilije Micic and Elijah Bryant can beat their opponents one-on-one, while Bruno Caboclo adds a threat from beyond the arc. In the latest round of the EuroLeague, the Israeli team beat Real Madrid (102:98), scoring 63 points before half-time. Their defence then allowed Real Madrid back into the game, setting up a tense finish. The visitors will also need to score heavily in Valencia. If the hosts provide help defence against drives by Micic and Bryant, Hapoel Tel Aviv will have open shots from the perimeter.
Valencia vs Hapoel Tel Aviv Prediction
We expect a fast-paced game in which both teams will have opportunities to score in bursts. In last season's EuroLeague, their two meetings produced 193 and 203 points; the second total included overtime. The squads have changed since then, so their current play matters more: Valencia regularly produce high-scoring games, while Hapoel Tel Aviv have already shown they can keep pace in such exchanges. Our tip is over 180.5 points, including OT.
