WHAT seemed like one small injury has had massive repercussions for Khimki Moscow.
Alexey Shved was the back-to-back MVP in consecutive weeks in the early stages of this season’s EuroLeague while averaging a league-leading 25.3 points and adding 7.4 assists.
Then he sustained a fractured finger in a win over Zalgiris Kaunas. The Russian star was supposed to be out for just three weeks. The hiatus has now extended to almost three months. And it has left his side fighting from behind to make this season’s playoffs, despite one of the more expensive rosters assembled.
All Stars Game 2019 | Alexey Shved
@Khimkibasket | Russian Stars pic.twitter.com/81GhzAHd9r
— VTB United League (@VTBUL) January 24, 2019
Although Khimky started off with an unexpected 2-8 record, Shved’s loss has been felt since. His colleagues have gone 7-7 in his absence but four of those losses have come when they have failed to score above 65 points.
Heading into Friday’s trip to Panathinaikos, Khimki are in eleventh place, at least two wins off the top eight with just eight rounds of games to go. With both teams on an identical record, victory is vital for both.
Until Shved returns, the visitors will hope for a continued lift from American forward Anthony Gill, who has averaged 10.3 points in three appearances since returned from his own spell on the sidelines, leading his team to consecutive triumphs. And he was central, scoring 21, when Khimki beat Pana 76-68 in Round 10.
My ace in Greece winning like you always do… @keith_langford pic.twitter.com/yTBx8KLbIY
— ♠️♥️ ᏒᎥᏃᎾ ♦️♣️ (@TheRealRizo) February 18, 2019
But the Greeks are emerging from their own injury crisis. Keith Langford and Sean Kilpatrick will suit up together for the first time with the hosts 3-0 at home since Rick Pitino took over, while also claiming the Greek Cup last weekend.
Khimki – who are 3.75 for victory but better value on a +6.5 handicap at 2.00 – will surely need to score big as well as maintaining their excellent defence. In their three road wins, they have averaged 93.7 points but just 71.3 in losses. During their current streak, they have converted 42.4% from three-point range with Jordan Mickey notching 22.5 per.
A loss for either would be a severe blow. With both investing so heavily, missing out on the post-season would be a disaster. Shved’s return might yet come too late to matter.
Best bet: Go under 156.5 points in Panathinaikos – Khimki Moscow at 1.95
Ready for takeoff! #GoazenBaskonia pic.twitter.com/DSqHtrZWbT
— Saski Baskonia (@Baskonia) February 20, 2019
There is an intriguing Spanish derby on Thursday when in-form FC Barcelona host Baskonia.
The Catalan giants have rebounded from an awkward start to win seven out of nine in the EuroLeague to close in on the top four and proved their mettle by holding off Real Madrid in overtime last Sunday to lift the Copa Del Rey.
During that nine-game stretch, Barca has averaged 81.8 points, three above their seasonal mark.
Baskonia, precariously placed eighth, has won four of its previous five continental contents and is seeking a fifth Euro victory in a row in Barcelona, priced at 3.00.
And this could be a defensive grind. While the Basque side are the third-best team when it comes to scoring on the road, averaging 82.9 points per game, their hosts concede a league-low 71.8 points per game on their own floor, a trait which could make it worth going under 154 total points.
