Maxima Roma vs London Lions

Prediction

• Maxima Roma: 60%
• London Lions: 40%

Pick: Maxima Roma (Medium confidence)

Match context

London travel to Rome in Round 6 on three wins from five, looking for a second road victory. Roma have good results in their own hall. No confirmed injury or lineup news was found for either side.

Recent form

London beat Tenerife 89-77, Cluj 89-72 away and Türk Telekom 79-61, but lost 71-74 at Šiauliai and 76-81 to Frankfurt at home. Roma beat Cluj 89-55 and Venezia 90-79 at home, but lost 77-92 at Türk Telekom, 71-96 at Tenerife and 93-98 at Šiauliai. Roma's home results have been convincing; their road results have not.

How they attack and defend

London are the stronger defence, conceding 73.0 against Roma's 83.2, though Roma score more (86.3 to 80.8). A game where London can slow the pace and Roma's shooting is cold suits the visitors.

Quarter patterns

London are strongest in the second half, winning the third quarter by 5.4 and the fourth by 4.6 on average, while losing the first two slightly. Roma are slow starters (-2.0 in the first) but win every other quarter. That could make for a game that is close at half-time and decided late.

Head to head

No recent meeting between these two turned up, so there is no head-to-head to weigh.

Key players and availability

Availability is unconfirmed on both sides.

The edge

The pick is Roma at home. Their home results are stronger and they have the scoring edge, but London's second-half profile and defence make it a game the visitors can win. It goes wrong if Roma are slow again in the first quarter and London's defence limits them late.

Team news

• Scott named Round 5 MVP: Joel Scott shared the Round 5 MVP award with 21 points and 13 rebounds in a 79-61 home win over Türk Telekom on 28 October.