Bayern vs Virtus: Analysis and Prediction – Bayern will host Virtus on home court in the Round 22 in the Euroleague.
Bayern vs Virtus Odds
Bayern Team News
Bayern has secured two consecutive victories across all competitions. They defeated Monaco in the EuroLeague after a dramatic game, 95-94, improving their record to 12-9 and making up for the loss to Olympiacos. On their home court, they have been outstanding, suffering only one loss in ten games.
In the EuroLeague, Bayern performs exceptionally well at home. Offensively, they are a highly potent team capable of ruthlessly punishing any opponent that gives them enough space. They have an efficient offense, which they continuously demonstrate. Bayern is a team that enjoys playing at a fast pace with a lot of three-point attempts. Against Monaco, they took 33 shots from beyond the arc, achieving an impressive 60.6% success rate. Head coach Gordon Herbert has found the perfect roles for his players, which is particularly evident with Carsen Edwards. He is having a fantastic season, playing very rationally, and scored 25 points with excellent shooting percentages in the last game. Devin Booker is also enjoying a great season, pulling defenders out when needed and hitting three-pointers. Andreas Obst boasts the best three-point shooting percentage on the team at over 43%, while it is also significant that Shabazz Napier, who hit the game-winning shot against Monaco, is returning to form. The recovery of Nick Weiler-Babb has added defensive stability and more secure ball-handling, while his offensive contributions are equally important. However, the team struggles with the lack of a classic center, weak defense in the paint, and a high number of turnovers.
Bayern has once again demonstrated that they are an exceptionally skilled shooting team. They will aim to impose their rhythm in this game, create as many open looks as possible, and punish their opponents for mistakes and turnovers. If they continue shooting at such high percentages, it will be difficult even for teams in much better form than Virtus to match them.
Virtus Team News
Virtus suffered a defeat in the last round of the EuroLeague, losing 68-77 on the road against Zalgiris, which ended their three-game winning streak. This leaves them with six victories in 21 rounds, a result they cannot be satisfied with. Away from home, they have won only twice in 10 games.
This season, the team has struggled significantly on both ends of the court. The head coaching change and the arrival of Dusko Ivanovic brought a few victories, but many problems remain, and the grueling schedule makes it very difficult to address them. While there has been progress in certain areas, they need to string together more wins to make further strides. Virtus is the fourth-worst team this season in offensive rating, and their defensive performance is not much better, placing them among the league’s weakest teams. The Italian team struggles most with three-point shooting, ranking second to last in this category, ahead of only Alba Berlin. Against Zalgiris, they managed a dismal 17.4% from beyond the arc, which is far from sufficient for a team aiming to improve its record and stay in the play-in race. Combined with their rebounding issues, the reasons for their struggles become clear. The team has indeed faced injury problems throughout the season, but many aspects of their game remain below the desired level. The absence of Will Clyburn has undoubtedly affected their performances, but the team still seems unable to respond adequately to aggressive opponents. Tornike Shengelia has returned to the lineup after an injury, and his absence, alongside Ante Zizic’s, significantly impacted their interior play. The Georgian is averaging 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and is expected to contribute more in the upcoming matches. In their absence, Isaia Cordinier has stepped up as the leader, averaging 13.5 points per game, including 18 points in the previous match.
Against Bayern, Virtus will need to deliver a much-improved defensive performance. If they allow the game to turn into a high-scoring contest, the in-form home team could take full advantage. Better three-point shooting percentages and control of the paint will also be crucial, as Bayern will look to exploit their strengths.
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Bayern vs Virtus H2H
In the last five matchups, Bayern has emerged victorious four times. This season, they won the first encounter on the road, 87-84.
Absences and Injuries
Vladimir Lucic will not be in Bayern’s lineup, while Virtus will be without Will Clyburn. Although Ante Zizic has returned to the team, he did not play in the game against Zalgiris.
Bayern vs Virtus Prediction
Bayern is a team that thrives on a fast-paced game, which is unlikely to suit Virtus. They have significantly better shooting percentages, especially from beyond the arc, and will look to capitalize on their advantages in offensive rebounding to secure a victory. The German team also has players capable of stretching the opponent’s defense and exploiting the weaknesses Virtus has on that end of the court to gain an edge. For these reasons, Bayern is favored in the upcoming matchup, particularly given their strong performances on their home court.
Tip-off Time: Friday, 17.01.2025, 20:30 CET
Prediction: Bayern -4.5
Odds: 1.72
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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