Japan vs Finland: Analysis and Prediction – Japan and Finland will play against each other in the FIBA World Cup second round.
Japan vs Finland Odds
Japan vs Finland (1/2): 4.68 / 1.19
Asian Handicap (+10.5 / -10.5): 1.89 / 1.87
Total Over/Under (165.5): 1.86 / 1.92
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
Japan Team News
In the first game of the group stage, Japan convincingly lost to Germany by 81:63. The home team had no chance. Already at halftime, they were trailing by 22 points, and the rest of the duel was just a routine for a better rival.
Even in the slightly more relaxed part of the game, when everything was already over, Japan did not manage to impose itself. With that, they proved that they belong to the weaker teams in the tournament. The team’s biggest problem was defense. As much as 71 percent of the two-point field goals were scored by rival, and when you take that into account, the team led by Tom Hovasse had nothing to hope for.
Germany scored 53 points in the first 20 minutes, which is a segment that the Asian team must think about before the duel with players such as Lauri Markkanen and Sasu Salin. The duo of Finland will take advantage of all the lapses in defense, and Japan has no chance to respond in kind. Yuta Watanabe, as the first option in offense, should benefit his team more.
Finland Team News
Finland was defeated even more convincingly at the start of the tournament. Australia played an excellent game in the second half and defeated the “Wolves” by 98:72. The European team had too short a period of good play, in order to harm the opponent.
Finland got off to a great start. In the beginning, it didn’t seem that Markkanen had problems with double teams because Lassi Tuovi and the coaching staff had prepared solutions for those situations very well. Sasu Salin also joined and, with two three-pointers, led Finland to a plus eight in the middle of the second quarter. From that moment, Australia played more aggressively, primarily on Markkanen, and neutralized him. In the end, it turned out that Finland did not have the help of other players in this duel, so the question of the winner was decided 15 minutes before the end.
Similar to Watanabe, Markkanen didn’t have good shooting percentages either. He hit seven of 17 field goal attempts (19 points), and had four turnovers. It’s no secret that he has to play better if Finland wants to win. Turnovers were also a team problem – as many as 19. The highest number was the result of great nervousness, which should not be the case against Japan.
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Japan vs Finland H2H
They have never met each other.
Absences and Injuries
Japan’s biggest star Rui Hachimura has decided not to participate in the World Cup. Finland came to the tournament with the strongest team.
Japan vs Finland Prediction
Both of them proved in the first meeting that they are a bit more nervous than their rivals. Japan hits 18 percent of three-pointers, and Finland 23 percent. The next duel will be even more important, which will further affect nerves and offensive production.
Therefore, we expect teams to score less points than the offered limit.
Tip-off Time: Sunday 27.08.2023, 14:10 CET
Prediction: Under 167.5 points
Odds: 1.74
Sportsbook: 22Bet
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