Mexico vs Lithuania: Analysis and Prediction – Mexico will play against Lithuania in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Mexico vs Lithuania Odds
Mexico Team News
Mexico has not been in good shape lately. Despite the win over the Dominican Republic at the end of February, this selection had four defeats before that, including the one against Chile, an objectively weaker team, which does not have many weapons compared to Brazil or Argentina. They just beat Argentina in the last two games before the start of the tournament.
It cannot be said that Mexico completely failed in the previous FIBA World Cup. Even the convincing defeat against Egypt was a surprise, not the defeats against Montenegro and Lithuania, while this team outplayed Jordan and New Zealand, which was a surprise. Experienced Paco Cruz was Mexico’s best scorer with 18.2 points per game, with a high consumption – 15 shots on average. Cruz also knew how to shine, as was the case against New Zealand, when he scored 27 points, including 6/9 for three. Therefore, it will be bad that he will not be in the tournament due to a leg injury. In his absence, the leadership role should be taken by Gabriel Giron, according to head coach Omar Quintero. Giron has a notable performance, but in the Mexican League, the question is how much is enough for the top level. Mexico has also had issues with layoffs, as Miami Heat star Jaime Jaquez Jr. refused the call of the homeland and decided for the USA. Another player with NBA renown, Toscano Anderson, will not have the opportunity to wear the jersey of Mexico, as the door was closed to him due to his refusal to be part of the team in the qualifying windows. Because of all this, Gicarri Harris, a student at Purdue University, was invited to the recently concluded training camp.
All of the above points to the fact that this team will face a very difficult task against a much better rival, who will not leave anything to chance, in the desire to solve the question of the winner as soon as possible and thus remove the dilemma. Faced with numerous problems and layoffs, it can only hurt Mexico.
Lithuania Team News
Lithuania played very well in the last FIBA World Championship. They dominated all the way to the quarterfinals, beating the USA, only to be disappointed and defeated by Serbia. It is certain that they are now even more motivated to play even better because of this, learn lessons and qualify for the Olympic Games. Lithuania has a record of 4-1 in the preparation games. However, they played three times against Lebanon and twice against Slovenia, from which they lost.
The most important thing, when it comes to Lithuania, is that in the upcoming qualifying tournament they will perform without Jonas Valanciunas, who due to a certain situation with the contract in the NBA, is not able to help his national team at the moment, but he could be case, if this team makes it to the Olympic Games. Even without him, the selector Kazys Maksvytis had a very powerful squad, which relies on the frontcourt and Donatas Motiejunas, as well as Domantas Sabonis, while Marius Grigonis will be the biggest threat from the backcourt. The Panathinaikos shooting guard is having a fantastic season, probably the best of his career, which is certainly a positive sign for the Lithuanians. In addition to him, there is also Rokas Jokubaitis, who will have a role in the organization of the game, as well as Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Edgaras Ulanovas, versatile players who can play both outside and in the low post. Because of such diversity, Lithuania is also one of the biggest favorites to go to Paris.
In the next match, Lithuania must use the height advantage they hace, because Mexico will not be able to respond to it. Correct defense and easy points on the other side will allow Lithuania to gain a convincing advantage in the early stages and to keep it until the end of the game and register their first win.
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Mexico vs Lithuania H2H
Absences and Injuries
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