Lithuania vs Finland: Analysis and Prediction – As part of preparations for the FIBA World Cup, Lithuania and Finland will play a game in Klaipeda.
Lithuania vs Finland Odds
Lithuania vs Finland (1/2): 1.14 / 5.00
Asian Handicap (-10.5 / +10.5): 1.83 / 1.83
Total Over/Under (165.5): 1.83 / 1.83
Odds via Bet365 Sportsbook
Lithuania Team News
Lithuania played already seven preparation games. They won four, and lost three of them. Wins were achieved against Jordan (twice), Ukraine and Georgia, while they lost to Finland and France twice.
Many key players won’t be part of this roster. Domantas Sabonis, Rokas Giedraitis, Lukas Lekavicius, Marius Grigonis and Edgars Ulanovas are out. Also, before the second game between them and France, two players were cut – Dorvydas Giedraitis and Donatas Tarolis. When we look at their friendly games, they played great against Ukraine and Georgia, then lost surprisingly to Finland. After that, they got defeated two times to France but they exposed issues with Lithuania’s offense. There is a little bit of a lack of shooting for three-point shots, combined that Lithuania forces post play for Jonas making their lanes clogged and harder to play inside or drive.
Even though they got absences, they will still be one of the more talented squads in the FIBA World Cup. They will be hosts against Finland but in the smaller hall in the city of Klaipeda. Maksvytis is still experimenting with the Lithuania squad, looking for ways to play defense and offense.
Finland Team News
Finland played two preparation games. First, they won against Lithuania after Jantunen scored a putback for the win, and then won versus Estonia 86-80.
Lauri Markkanen is playing fantastic for Finland and as expected is the leader of this Finish squad. After a fantastic NBA season with the Utah Jazz, all eyes are on him. Finland doesn’t have a deep squad, but they got several solid players with European basketball experience, and are surely motivated after last year’s Eurobasket when they lost to Spain in a thriller of a game.
Two players will return to the squad, Aatu Kivimaki and Miro Little, while also Edon Maxhuni should be available. While there were some injuries (Seppala), Lassi Tuovi is not concerned about injuries. Finland should give their best, and the atmosphere is good in the team.
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Lithuania vs Finland H2H
They played recently a friendly game, in which Finland won by Jantunen putback in last seconds of the game. The score was 81-79 for the Finnish squad.
Absences and Injuries
For Finland, Seppala is questionable, while Lithuania is without Sabonis, Giedraitis, Lekavicius, Grigonis, and Ulanovas.
Lithuania vs Finland Prediction
When the game was in Finland, the spread was 5.5, and now will be 10.5 points. The game is played in Klaipeda, not Zalgirio Arena, so we think this kind of difference with the spreads is not justified. Lithuania doesn’t have a way to guard Markkanen 1 vs 1, and Finland’s shooting is well enough to punish doubl-teaming. Lithuania will probably win at home, but we don’t think it will be by huge difference.
Tip-off Time: Monday, 14.08.2023, 18:00 CET
Prediction: Finland +10.5
Odds: 1.83
Sportsbook: Bet365