Lithuania – Australia

Lithuania and Australia will meet in the match of the day on Friday at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. This will be the last match of the Preliminary Group H, from which both teams have already qualified. Nevertheless, the match holds huge importance, as the result will carry over to the main group stage, and it may well decide who ends up going to the KO rounds from these two sides.

Lithuania seems to be in terrific form in this World Cup. The Lithuanians were very solid in their last few warm ups, and have hit their strides right from the start in this tournament. They could hardly play better than they are playing right now. Lithuania defeated Senegal by 54 points and Canada by 23 points in the two matches they played, showing amazing depth and exceptional teamwork. In fact, these are the two main qualities of this team, even if the individual talent is at a high level as well, with two NBA starting caliber players and a bunch of top Euroleague guys to support them.

Australia was less impressive than Lithuania so far, beating Senegal by 13 points and Canada by 16 points – much tighter results than the Lithuanians achieved with those teams. The Boomers weren`t that great in the World Cup warm ups either, although their win against USA probably makes up for all the other losses. And it certainly showed their potential, even if it was just a friendly. The starting 5 is top class for Australia, even if their main star Ben Simmons has withdrawn from the squad.

Bet on Lithuania vs Australia and claim a 100% (100 Eur) welcome bonus at 1XBet!

The Boomers might boost the more notable individual talent with four NBA players in the form of Dellavedova, Mills, Ingles and Baynes. Five if you count Bogut, although his NBA career is likely over after a short playoff comeback to the Warriors last Spring. However, the Lithuanians have two solid NBA contributors themselves in Valanciunas and Sabonis. And, more importantly, they are much deeper.

This Lithuanian team legit goes 12 deep with top European talent all around, while the Australians don`t have the same quality beyond their main 6-7 man rotation.

Sabonis and Valanciunas are absolute monsters in the paint for the Lithuanians, so Australia will have to rely more on perimeter play, which is actually a bit of a problem for them. They don`t have too many consistent shooters outside Ingles (who`s coming after a monster game vs Senegal and might cool off – also Lithuania has competent defenders to throw at him) and Mills. If those two aren`t lights out from distance, there will be problems. And it will not be easy for them against the pesky Lithuanian back court defenders.

The Lithuanians will have some issues themselves in the backcourt, as their non athletic guards will have to deal with a world class Australian half court defense. But the Lithuanians do have shooters all around to kick the ball to, and they can always throw it inside to Valanciunas and Sabonis to produce something.

This should be a good game, but Lithuania seems in better form, more balanced all around, with better chemistry and more depth. They should have more tactical options to try and get the result they need. My tip will be Lithuania to win. Odds are currently dropping on this bet. Prediction: Lithuania – Australia 82 – 76.

Pick: Lithuania
Odds: 1.66 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.28
Event date: 5 September