In the opening match of the newly formed Group I, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will face each other. The game will be held at a venue in Manila.
Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico Odds
Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico (1/2): 1.24 / 4.04
Asian Handicap (-8.5 / +8.5): 1.82 / 1.92
Total Over/Under (170.5): 1.89 / 1.89
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
Dominican Republic Team News
The Dominican Republic achieved their primary goal ahead of this edition of the FIBA World Cup. They registered three wins, with the most notable one against Italy. The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns brought the anticipated boost, and that victory can’t be labeled as a major surprise. Besides that, they outplayed Angola and the hosts, the Philippines.
The aforementioned NBA star is undoubtedly the driving force of the Dominican Republic’s play on both ends of the court. In addition to delivering offensively and filling the stat sheet, it’s evident that the center provides a significant sense of security to his teammates in defensive tasks. Riding on this confidence, Andres Feliz has particularly shined from beyond the three-point line. Victor Liz is also playing exceptionally well, while Jean Montero and Angel Delgado, together with the others, form the core of this team. Depth could be an issue, but the fact remains that their opponents also lack a strong bench to counter with.
The Dominican Republic has carried the maximum number of points into the second round of the competition, laying a fantastic foundation for the upcoming matches. Their first game against Puerto Rico will certainly be of great importance, as a victory would bring them a step closer to the quarterfinals. If Serbia meets expectations, that subsequent match could be a battle for the top spot. The Dominican Republic faces a long journey ahead, and if they hope to achieve a remarkable result, a win against Puerto Rico is non-negotiable.
Puerto Rico Team News
Puerto Rico secured its place in the second round in a remarkably challenging manner. A dramatic opener against South Sudan, which they won in overtime, set the stage. They were then convincingly defeated by Serbia, but during the second half of that match, they demonstrated their capability to compete with the best. Ultimately, they outplayed China, leaving Aleksandar Djordjevic’s squad without a victory in the FIBA World Cup.
What characterizes Puerto Rico is certainly their aggressive defense, fast-paced transition play, and numerous three-point attempts. In such a dynamic, Tremont Waters and Isaisah Pineiro stand out the most. Stephen Thompson Junior also makes a significant contribution. In the paint, their primary strength lies in Ismael Romero and George Conditt, who undoubtedly face a tough challenge ahead. This can be the X-factor in the upcoming game against the Dominican Republic, with everything hinging on how to stop Karl-Anthony Towns.
With their advancement to the second round, Puerto Rico has achieved its desired goal. It can be said that they enter the duel against the Dominican Republic without much pressure, as anything they accomplish in the second round of the FIBA World Cup exceeds expectations. The third quarter against Serbia, in which they scored 31 points, can serve as a “blueprint” for the desired performance against the Dominican Republic.
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Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico H2H
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico have faced off in 19 head-to-head matches. Of those encounters, Puerto Rico emerged victorious 14 times, while the Dominican Republic claimed the remaining five games
Absences and Injuries
In terms of absences and injuries, the Dominican Republic will be without Al Horford and Chris Duarte, two of their most notable names. Puerto Rico is missing NBA player Jose Alvarado, who would have been of significant importance to the team. Among those present, there are no reported injuries.
Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico Prediction
In this case, the head-to-head record isn’t a reliable indicator when it comes to the FIBA World Cup. Although history favors Puerto Rico, the big question is how they will defend against the Dominican Republic’s center position led by Towns. Both teams fully embrace a similar style of play. We anticipate fast-paced transition play and numerous three-point attempts.
Both teams have demonstrated the ability to shoot at high percentages. We expect this trend to continue, and our prediction is for the total points to exceed the set line of 168.5.
Tip-off Time: Friday 01.09.2023, 14:00 CET
Prediction: Over 168.5
Odds: 1.71
Sportsbook: 22Bet
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