La Euroleague faces its final stretch before the start of the playoffs in a situation of equality ever seen in tournament history since it adopted its current 18-team format in 2002. After 30 days and 270 games there is only four qualified teams mathematically for the playoffs (Olympiacos, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Monaco), none of them is yet guaranteed seeding status for the playoffs, and even 10 teams (Fenerbahce, Maccabi, Partizán, Baskonia, Zalgiris, Efes, Milan, Valencia, Virtus and Red Starin this order) fight for the four vacant positions.
Baskonia center Steven Enoch battles with Bryant Dunston of Anadolu Efes.
All these unknowns will be cleared up in the 36 games of the four remaining days of the regular phase, and can begin to clarify this week, in which there is a double day with momentous confrontations. As regards the Spanish representatives, the Madrid (receives Fenerbahce and visits Partizán) and the Barcelona (visit Partizan and welcomes Alba Berlin) they will try to certify the field factor in the crossings.
Key week for Baskonia and Valencia Basket
He Baskonia, eighth (15-15) and the Valencia, twelfth (14-16) They are facing a key week to continue aspiring to finish in the top eight. The people of Vitoria receive in the fort of the Buesa Arena al Alba Berlin and Fenerbahceand the Valencians have it somewhat more difficult, since they visit the Red Star and Zalgiristwo teams that rush, like them, their classification options.
Moustapha Fall defends Edy Tavares in a match between Olympiacos and Real Madrid, co-leaders of the Euroleague.
Anything can happen, and it’s not a cliché, in the most even Euroleague in history since 2002 given how the competition has developed so far. The classification is the tightest ever. Only four wins separate the seventh-ranked from the two leaders, Olympiacos and Real Madrid. And there are only other cfour wins away between the fifteenth classified and the eighth that now occupies the Baskonia and marks the classifieds for the crossings.
Most games decided by 3, 5 or 10 points
The results confirm this unusual parityin which according to official data recently provided by the organization, the greater number of games decided by less than 3, 5 or 10 pointsand the smaller difference between home and away victories since the current 18-team format was adopted.
The Baskonia players celebrate the win against Real Madrid after a last-second triple by Matt Costello.
The data shows that home and away victories are more balanced than ever, with the exception of the 2020-21 season, when the global pandemic did not allow attendance at the pavilions. This season away teams win 6.5% more games than in last season.
Two out of five games are decided by two possessions
One in five parties (22.80%) have decided on a basket or less, while almost two out of five (39.20%) they have decided on only two possessions. Yeah, Anything can happen in the four remaining days of the regular phase in the most even and exciting Euroleague in history.
