FIBA quarterfinals preview: 1 step closer to a U.S.-Spain Final
The quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup are set. Eight teams remain in the quest for the James Naismith Trophy, including tournament co-favorites U.S.A. and Spain.
Slovenia (5-1) vs. U.S. (6-0) - Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Team USA was their suspect perimeter defense. Could Anthony Davis' shot-blocking make up for a trio of poor defenders - Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, and James Harden - in the starting backcourt?
Team USA's perimeter defense hasn't yet let them down, but they will be put to the test against Slovenia's small-ball attack, led by brothers Goran and Zoran Dragic. The Slovenians play up-tempo basketball and love shooting 3-pointers. Goran Dragic spearheads the attack, averaging 16.5 points per game on 58.8 percent shooting from the floor.
Luckily for the Americans, an up-tempo style plays right into their hands. The U.S. are lethal in transition, and feast on turnovers. Unless the Dragic brothers break out in a big way, it's tough to envision the Slovenians pulling off an upset here.
Lithuania (5-1) vs. Turkey (4-2) - Tuesday, 11 a.m. ET
The Lithuanians needed a heroic 23-point, 13-rebound effort from pivot Jonas Valanciunas to beat New Zealand in the Round of 16, but Turkey didn't exactly cruise, either, as they needed a last second triple to top Australia.
The NBA matchup to watch is one between Valanciunas and Turkish center Omer Asik. Valanciunas has dominated opponents thus far to the tune of 13 points per game on 76.7 percent shooting, but faces a strong post-defender in Asik. If Valanciunas is not effective, don't be surprised to see Lithuania sub in one (or both) of the floor-stretching 7-foot Lavrinovic twins to open up space inside.
As the runners up in Eurobasket 2013, Lithuania should be considered the favorites. However, the Baltic giants are dealing with some injuries to their backcourt, and a weak performance from their guards could easily end their run.
France (4-2) vs. Spain (6-0) - Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET
Aided along by the steady dominance of the Gasol brothers, the hometown Spanish side have steamrolled their opponents so far and find themselves facing a familiar foe in the French.
Spain easily beat France to the tune of 88-64 in the group stage. Marc and Pau Gasol combined for 32 points and 10 rebounds, helping Spain dominate the interior on both ends. Spain shot 65 percent on two-point field goals while holding France to just 50 percent shooting.
But an upset isn't out of the question. France knocked Spain out of Eurobasket 2013 en route to a tournament victory, though Pau Gasol sat out and Tony Parker suited up for France. Spain is the favorite to win, but the French have plenty of firepower on the wing in Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier to exploit Spain's questionable wing defenders.
Serbia (3-3) vs. Brazil (5-1) - Wednesday, 12 p.m. ET
Although their record sits even though six games, the Serbians have played well so far. The team boasts plenty of offensive weapons, especially on the perimeter with the pairing of Milos Teodosic and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
The Brazilians counter with a trio of dominant bigs on the interior. Nene, Anderson Varejao, and Tiago Splitter have worked interchangeably to give Brazil a heady mix of defensive presence and options in the pick-and-roll. Veteran guard Leandro Barbosa has also impressed, averaging 13 points per game on 51.7 percent shooting from the field.
Ultimately, the game will come down to a clash of styles. Serbia are at their best when the action is flowing through their guards, while Brazil prefers to play inside-out. The Brazilians should enter as the favorites, but the Serbians boast plenty of talented offensive players who could swing the balance in their favor.