Posted:
#1
Encounter between two of the best selections of the Championship, both are in the top 3 of score. Even so, there are slight differences between both teams, and are as follows
Defense
Currently Slovenia has better defense than Latvia, at least statistically: they receive 76.8 ppg by 79.2 ppg from the Latvians. But that is only superficially.
Because the Goran Dragic team is one of the teams that best defends the perimeter. These are the percentages of teams that they limited in 3-pointers:
Poland -> 36%
Finland -> 43.8%
Greece -> 15%
Iceland -> 29.2%
France -> 33.3%
Ukrania -> 22.2%
Undoubtedly one of the keys, will be to limit the external shot of Latvia, one of its main weapons (41.4%). To make matters worse, Slovenia is the best team in the Championship in steals (9.3) and top 5 in blocks (3.3). Latvia is more "passive" in both rankings, with averages of 5.0 and 2.2, respectively.
Attack
Both teams have a devastating attack, although the equipment of Porzingis is slightly superior. Latvia with 49.9% in T2, is superior to the 45.4% of Slovenia, and also move more the ball generating 24.3 assists, by 18.3 of its rival.
Head to head
They already played each other in 2015, winning Latvia 73 - 66. But there were many absences. Porzingis, Dragic, Doncic, etc. Play revenge
Conclusion
At a glance the simplest seems to choose Latvia, by results, shot percentages, have Porzingis, etc. But this is never easy, even if it seems so.
Latvia is going to face a team that attacks as well as they, and also defends better. Slovenia knows how to do both. The only team with such characteristics they have faced in this tournament is Serbia, and they lost 92-82.
This is the last tournament of Goran Dragic, after he will retire from his selection. This type of players are those who split the face play where they play, and much more for their country. With averages of 21.5 pp, I do not see the Latvian bases stopping it. Will play extra-motivated.
Latvia has Porzingis, Janls Timma, and the Bertans. I think the versatility of the nationalized Anthony Randolph and his athleticism fit well to stop Porzingis and Timma, not forgetting Luka Doncic, a real prodigy, appearing in the hot moments.
In short, great game. For everything explained I prefer to Slovenia, a team that I believe, plays with much more energy and passion than Latvia. I'm uploading the pick because it gives me the impression that the fee will go down. Or not.
Luck
Slovenia
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@DeanNba
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