Explaining the huge upset of Baskonia vs. Gran Canaria

I didn’t bet on this game but I studied a bit the whole situation and if I had to choose, I have to admit that Gran Canaria’s odd seemed attractive. Some bookies gave 4.60 or including 5.00 on the visitors at the game time. Simply too much if we can understand the circumstances of the encounter.

Baskonia is fighting for the last spot of the Euroleague playoffs and their focus and energy is saved for that competition. In Liga ACB they have a good record so the club can concentrate now on their European campaign.

On the other side, Gran Canaria just qualified for the semifinals of the Eurocup and this is an amazing achievement for a team that 1 month ago looked like being already eliminated from that competition. Gran Canaria was reborn in the last rounds since they have the entire roster available and the chemistry works. Actually, this is Gran Canaria that I expected: a great team, with a tremendous rotation and with one of the largest benches in Europe.

The only reservation that I had was because Gran Canaria had a busy week: travelling to France and smashing there, the host team Levallois in Eurocup, then having the return game home, this time winning by a minimum margin and then travel back to Baskonia. I wasn’t sure if they can find the energy for the third game in 6 days. I have to recognize that Gran Canaria is the nicest surprise of the second part of the season in Liga ACB and Eurocup.

Image: Eurocup