The next BBL-Pokal encounter between ALBA Berlin and HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim on Sunday, October 13, at 16:30 is fascinating. The favorites, ALBA Berlin, face a difficult road encounter just 48 hours after playing in Barcelona. This short timeline is a significant factor that may influence their performance in this “do-or-die” contest, adding an element of unpredictability to the match.
Despite playing in the ProA league, Crailsheim has shown outstanding form, notably defeating first-division club Rostock. With veteran players like Vincent Shahid, who averages 22 points per game, and aggressive guards Devon Goodman and Anthony Gaines, Crailsheim is well-equipped to compete with ALBA. David McCray, the new head coach, is anticipated to inspire an excellent performance, making Crailsheim a thrilling underdog to watch.
ALBA defeated Crailsheim 103-83 in their most recent match, sealing the club’s relegation. However, Crailsheim’s recent form and home-court advantage may make this a tighter game. Given these considerations, Crailsheim, with a +13 handicap, is a good option for this match. This means that if you bet on Crailsheim, they can lose by up to 13 points and you would still win the bet, as they are expected to fight against the favoured ALBA Berlin.