The Lion Sports Collective

Bayern return home looking to build momentum in the EuroLeague. Their home-court advantage and overall matchup profile make them the preferred side against a competitive Virtus Bologna team.

Rather than requiring Bayern to win by a specific margin, the moneyline offers a more conservative approach. Virtus have the quality to keep the game close, but Bayern only need to secure the victory.

back from a disappointing start to their EuroLeague campaign. Despite their recent struggles, they have enough offensive talent to challenge an inconsistent Milano side.

Milano's experience makes them dangerous, but they have also struggled to establish consistency. With the market viewing Maccabi as slight favorites, the +3 handicap provides valuable protection in a potentially close contest. A narrow two-point defeat would still cover the spread, while a three-point defeat would result in a pus

Derthona return home looking for a strong response after two disappointing results. This is their first home EuroCup game, and the matchup gives them a good opportunity to bounce back against Le Mans.

Rather than asking Derthona to cover the -3.5 spread, we remove the handicap completely. Le Mans have enough offensive quality to keep this competitive, so the Moneyline protection is valuable — we only need Derthona to win the game.

Adelaide are dealing with important absences, which is why we are avoiding the standard spread and taking a much safer alternate line. The 36ers are at home and still have enough offensive quality, led by Bryce Cotton, to stay competitive against Melbourne.

The key is the protection: instead of asking Adelaide to win or cover the regular +4.5 line, we get +9.5 points. That gives us a five-point cushion compared with the Winner line and allows Adelaide to lose a close game while the selection still lands.

Trabzonspor enter this matchup as clear home favorites against Nanterre, with the market expecting them to control the game. Even with some rotation concerns, the overall matchup and home-court advantage still favor the Turkish side.

Instead of taking the -6.5/-7.5 handicap, we remove the spread completely. Trabzonspor only need to win the game, giving us valuable protection if Nanterre keeps it competitive.

Berrettini has the clear edge in experience, serve quality and overall level on hard courts. He recently returned with an encouraging win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Tokyo, while Kovacevic has struggled to produce results at ATP level recently.

We prefer the protection of the Moneyline rather than asking Berrettini to cover a games or sets handicap. If he serves at his usual level and controls the shorter points, this is a matchup he should be able to manage.

Jerusalem come into this matchup with the stronger and deeper roster, and Lorenzo Brown is expected to be available after being cleared to return to action.

The short turnaround after the Maccabi game is a factor, which is exactly why we avoid asking Jerusalem to cover a spread. Cedevita can be competitive at home, but at this price we prefer the protection of the Moneyline and only need Jerusalem to win.

Slovakia enter this match unbeaten and sitting at the top of their Nations League group. They already defeated Moldova 2-0 in the previous meeting, showing a clear advantage in overall quality.

The expected lineup remains strong, with key players such as Skriniar, Hancko and Lobotka available. Rather than taking an aggressive handicap away from home, we keep the protection of the Moneyline and simply ask Slovakia to win.

Memphis are approaching this game with a clear preseason rotation plan, with their coach indicating that he does not expect players to exceed roughly 20 minutes. That should create plenty of minutes for the deeper parts of the Grizzlies rotation.

Atlanta only need to win the game. Instead of asking the Hawks to cover a spread, we take the protected Moneyline and avoid unnecessary risk in a preseason matchup.

The Knicks are expected to use their starters, but Mike Brown has indicated that their minutes will be limited as they gradually build up their workload during preseason.

Philadelphia gets a valuable +7.5 cushion at home. In a preseason game where rotations should deepen as the night progresses, taking the points gives us protection even if New York controls parts of the game.

Bencic comes into this matchup as the stronger overall player and has already produced a straight-sets win in Beijing. Her ability to take the ball early, redirect pace and stay aggressive from the baseline should give her the advantage if she maintains a solid first-serve percentage.

Ann Li deserves respect, especially after beating Bencic in their previous meeting, which is why I prefer the straightforward Moneyline rather than asking Bencic to cover games or win 2-0

Anyang showed encouraging signs in their opening win, with enough offensive quality and depth to make them the side I prefer in this matchup. Daegu, meanwhile, struggled offensively in their opener and had problems generating consistent scoring outside their main options.

Instead of asking Anyang to cover the regular handicap, we are taking the protected positive spread, giving us a valuable cushion even if this develops into a close game.

Denver are deserved favorites, but 12.5 points is a significant cushion for a preseason game. The result is secondary at this stage of preparation, and coaches are focused much more on evaluating combinations, managing minutes and giving reserve players extended runs.

Utah can lose comfortably and still cover this line. With so much uncertainty surrounding fourth-quarter rotations, taking the large underdog spread provides much better protection than relying on Denver to maintain a double-digit advantage for the full game.

Pick: Utah Jazz +12.5 @1.29

This is a preseason spot where the extra spread protection carries real value. Golden State may have the stronger starting unit, but preseason rotations are expected to limit the minutes of the key veterans and give extended opportunities to the bench and younger players. That makes it much harder for a favorite to maintain control for all four quarters.

With the Clippers playing at home, we do not need them to win. The +8.5 cushion gives us plenty of protection in a game where rotations and second-half lineups can quickly change the momentum.

🇪🇸 UCAM Murcia +7 vs Barcelona

Murcia are getting a generous seven-point cushion at home against a Barcelona side dealing with a demanding European schedule. The key here is that Murcia do not need to win the game. Their home court, physical style and the additional spread protection give us several ways to cover. Barcelona remain the stronger team on paper, but after European action this is not an ideal spot to require a comfortable road victory from them.

Pick: UCAM Murcia +7 @1.36

Ludwigsburg get a very valuable eight-point cushion at home in a matchup where the main market has been considerably tighter. They have no European schedule to manage, so fatigue and rotation concerns are limited. Trier may have the stronger early-season results, but asking them to win comfortably on the road is a different challenge. With Ludwigsburg playing at home and the extra protection compared with the standard spread, +8 gives us plenty of room even if Trier proves to be the better team tonight.

Pick: Ludwigsburg +8 @1.44

Girona come into this matchup in a favorable scheduling spot. Baskonia are playing their third game in a short period after EuroLeague action, while Girona have had significantly more time to rest and prepare.

Girona also opened their league campaign with an encouraging win over Murcia, while Baskonia needed a very tight finish to escape against Burgos. We are not asking Girona to win on the road - with a +10.5 cushion, they can lose by up to 10 points and the selection still wins.

Lleida return home with confidence after an impressive road win over Valencia. They have the more favorable setup here, with home-court advantage and a Burgos side dealing with availability concerns. I’m taking the Moneyline rather than the spread to protect the selection if this develops into a close game.

Venezia come into this matchup in strong form and with the deeper overall roster. Trieste are capable of making this competitive at home, which is why I prefer the straight Moneyline rather than asking Venezia to cover a handicap. At 1.65, the price offers enough value to back Venezia simply to win.

Adelaide have been particularly strong at home and enter this matchup with the deeper overall offensive profile. New Zealand remain dangerous, but their absences reduce the margin for error. Taking the Moneyline removes the handicap risk and gives us the safer way to back Adelaide at home.

Kagoshima enter as league leaders and remain unbeaten, with an excellent home record and strong recent form. Fukushima have struggled badly for consistency and have suffered several heavy defeats. The gap in current performance, defensive reliability and home advantage makes Kagoshima the preferred side.

Yastremska comes into this matchup with the stronger overall level, greater attacking power and more experience against high-level opposition. Her aggressive first-strike tennis should put Kraus under consistent pressure. At this price, Yastremska provides the more reliable side of the matchup.

Spain should control possession and territory for long stretches, limiting Czechia's opportunities in transition. The matchup, expected game state and market movement all support a low Czech scoring probability. The NO price has shortened considerably in the wider market, making our earlier 1.73 particularly attractive.

Dijon opened the league with a solid 81-72 win over Strasbourg and looked balanced on both ends of the floor. Pau started with a 78-64 loss to Nanterre and struggled badly from outside. Dijon have the deeper and more proven roster, so I prefer the safer Moneyline option rather than taking the spread.

Bourg return home looking for their first league win after two difficult games. Tyson Walker is back and already showed his impact with 20 points against Napoli. Chalon started well and must be respected, which is why I am avoiding the handicap. At home, with more quality and depth, I give Bourg the edge to win.

Both teams have struggled badly in attack recently. North Macedonia have found goals very hard to come by, while Scotland have also lacked cutting edge in the final third. This looks like a cautious, low-tempo match with limited clear chances, which makes the Under 2.5 goals line attractive.

Switzerland come into this match in excellent form after two consecutive 3-0 wins and have yet to concede in this campaign. At home they have shown strong control, created plenty of chances and looked very solid defensively. Slovenia are also missing an important attacking option, which further strengthens Switzerland’s position here.

Eibar arrive in excellent form, but this is a difficult away matchup against an Albacete side desperate to react at home. The +0.5 line means we only need Albacete to avoid defeat, so both a home win and a draw are enough. Despite their poor results, Albacete still have experienced attacking options such as Corpas and Soberón, while Eibar are being asked to extend a long winning run away from home. In a Segunda División matchup where margins are often small, the protected home side offers the better risk profile

Real Unión’s matches have generally been open this season, especially at home, where they have already produced 4-1 and 2-2 scorelines. Ourense have also shown vulnerability early in games, conceding first-half goals against Mirandés, Logroñés and Unionistas. With Real Unión looking to respond at home after a defeat, I expect an aggressive start and at least one goal before the break.

Unicaja come back home after a very competitive 89-87 loss to Real Madrid and now get a better matchup against Tenerife. Even with several roster absences, Unicaja still have enough depth and quality to control this game, especially at home.

The main market is much higher than this line, so taking only -4.5 gives us extra protection. Tenerife are experienced and dangerous, which is exactly why I prefer the reduced spread rather than pushing to -7.5 or beyond.

Grimsby return home after a narrow 2-1 defeat, which fits the bounce-back profile we were looking for. They had started the league season strongly before that setback and have looked much more reliable at home. Shrewsbury have struggled for consistency and have offered very little attacking threat in recent matches. The key here is the protection. With Draw No Bet, a draw returns the stake, while a Grimsby win cashes the leg. That gives us a safer way to back the stronger home side without needing to take the full moneyline.

Melbourne return to John Cain Arena after a narrow 84-82 road loss to Tasmania. Cairns are 1-3 and come off a heavy 98-75 defeat to New Zealand, showing problems at both ends. The main market is around Melbourne -8.5, so taking only -2.5 gives us roughly six points of extra protection while keeping the stronger home side.

Brisbane return home where they are 2-0 this season and currently lead the NBL in rebounding. Tasmania arrive after a draining 84-82 battle with Melbourne, while their only road game this season ended in defeat. With the main market around pick’em, +3.5 gives us valuable protection in what should be a close matchup.

The external market sees this matchup as very close, making Phoenix +5.5 an attractive protected line. Perth also enter with important roster absences, while Phoenix have already shown they can match up well against them this season.

Illawarra have struggled badly on defense to start the season, while Adelaide possess enough offensive quality to punish them. With the main market total sitting much higher, 178.5 gives us valuable protection and a strong alternative line.

Bayern return home after a heavy 100-76 loss to Fenerbahce, which creates a strong bounce-back spot. Before that defeat, they had been in good form, including a road win over Hapoel Tel Aviv and two dominant domestic victories. Partizan started the EuroLeague well, but they come into this game with several rotation concerns. At home, I prefer the safer Moneyline rather than asking Bayern to cover a spread.

Würzburg come into this game with confidence after an impressive 90-67 road win over Ulm. Bonn have started well overall, but their only road game so far ended in a heavy defeat. With Würzburg playing at home, the +6 line gives us solid protection. We do not need them to win, only to stay competitive and avoid losing by more than five points.