In the opening match of the newly formed Group L, Spain and Latvia will face each other. The game will be held at a venue in Jakarta.
Spain vs Latvia Odds
Spain vs Latvia (1/2): 1.18 / 4.84
Asian Handicap (-10.5 / +10.5): 1.88 / 1.88
Total Over/Under (169.5): 1.89 / 1.89
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
Spain Team News
Spain concluded the opening phase of the FIBA World Cup with three wins, as anticipated. They successively defeated Ivory Coast, Brazil, and Iran. The Brazilian team put up the most resistance, but in the end, they were convincingly defeated.
It can be said that Spain’s frontcourt players stood out. Above all, Willy Hernangomez played brilliantly. When you add the contributions of Usman Garuba and Santi Aldama, along with Willy’s brother, Juancho Hernangomez, they pose a significant threat in the paint for their opponents. Making the most of Ricky Rubio’s absence, young point guard Juan Nunez has been granted complete freedom by coach Sergio Scariolo. An area where Spain can further elevate its quality is the performance of their guards. Alex Abrines and Alberto Diaz, in particular, can still step up considerably.
The initial goal has been achieved: three matches and three wins. Significantly, all points earned in the first phase carry over to the second round of the FIBA World Cup. Spain is a team one should never write off, a sentiment they’ve proven over many years. The opening match of the second round against Latvia will be an ideal opportunity for them to demonstrate their quality in their first real test.
Latvia Team News
In a challenging group with Canada, France, and Lebanon, Latvia managed to advance to the second round. The win that surely boosted their confidence the most was against France, where they trailed for over 39 minutes but ultimately clinched the win. They defeated Lebanon and lost their final game to Canada, which was somewhat expected.
With the inclusion of Davis Bertans, Latvia has taken their game a step further. Aggressive defense, character, and a potent three-point shooting capability are their strongest assets. A roster that has good familiarity and several players from the qualifiers have further contributed to team chemistry and spirit. Young Arturs Zagars has fully seized the opportunity presented to him. Against NBA Canada, they revealed their weaknesses, but that wasn’t surprising given they were facing one of the top contenders in this year’s FIBA World Cup.
Carrying two wins and a loss into the next phase, their match against Spain could be of crucial importance for their next steps. If they can replicate what they demonstrated against France and have a good shooting day, they might pose a challenge to Spain. However, concerns remain about how they will respond to the challenges presented by Spain’s center line-up, as well as Spain’s vast experience in high-pressure games, given that their opponent is synonymous with strong performances in such situations.
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Spain vs Latvia H2H
Spain and Latvia have faced each other six times in their history, with the Spanish national team emerging won on every occasion.
Absences and Injuries
When it comes to notable absences, Kristaps Porzingis and Jannis Timma are not part of the Latvian squad for this FIBA World Cup. Dairis Bertans has also sustained an injury, and coach Luka Banchi won’t be able to rely on him for the remainder of the tournament. On the other hand, Spain is without Ricky Rubio, who has stopped his career due to mental health reasons.
Spain vs Latvia Prediction
Despite winning convincingly in all three matches so far, Spain has not fully showcased its offensive prowess. As we’ve already established, they haven’t faced a truly competitive opponent yet. On the other hand, Latvia plays with a style that involves a lot of running and three-point shooting, backed by a roster capable of implementing that strategy. Besides their outside game, Spain can also inflict significant damage from the paint.
It’s not out of the question that we might see several personal fouls by Latvia on the opposing centers, which will present opportunities for easy points. Latvia’s primary weapon is undoubtedly their three-point shooting, led by Davis Bertans. Therefore, we predict a total score higher than the set line of 167.5 points.
Tip-off Time: Friday 01.09.2023, 11:45 CET
Prediction: Over 167.5
Odds: 1.71
Sportsbook: 22Bet
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