FIBA World Cup

Canada vs Latvia prediction, time, and live stream – FIBA World Cup 2023

August 29, 2023 11:44 am

The  FIBA World Cup is about to enter its second phase and the last match of the group stage for both Canada and Latvia is a decisive one. Both teams achieved 2 wins so far, so they will duel now for the right to move on as group winners. Both teams have reasons to feel confident and yet only one of them will win.

Canada vs Latvia basketball predictions

Can Canada’s dominance continue? Will the spirited Latvians find a way to cause another upset after knocking out France? Here are our Canada vs Latvia basketball predictions.

Prediction 1: RJ Barrett over 13.5 points @ 1/2 (1.50)

With our first prediction, we back Canada and New York Knicks gifted scorer RJ Barrett to score at least 14 points in this match. Barrett’s World Cup debut was an ugly one as he had just 5 points on 1 of 10 shooting vs France. He did much better against Lebanon when in fewer minutes he got himself 17 points and shot 7 of 12 from the floor.

With the competition for starting spots so fierce in the Canadian team Barrett needs to do more of the same and we back him to go over his points spread again now his nerves from his debut game have settled.

Prediction 2: Roland Smits over 13.5 points @ 4/5 (1.80)

Our second Canada vs Latvia prediction looks at the end of the floor. If Latvia are to stand any chance of beating Canada their star small forward Roland Smits will need to be scoring the basket. That’s why we back him to have at least 14 points in this match. Smits scored 20 vs Lebanon and 17 vs France, so he’s in great form right now.

Even against Canada’s elite defence, Smits should be getting his shots as according to the projections all of the 3 Canadians that are most likely to be responsible for guarding him are shorter than him. Smits is very good at shooting over smaller opponents.

Canada vs Latvia preview – Can the fans make the difference?

Now let’s look at the latest Canada vs Latvia team news.

Canada news, injuries, and starting lineups

CAN vs LAT preview scaled
(Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.) – Photo by Icon sport

Canada were the best team in North America during the qualifiers where they won 11 out of 12 games. The Canadians are yet to achieve anything major in big tournaments though. They are yet to prove themselves on the big stage. Their best finish so far at a World Cup has been 6th place.

Their main start of this World Cup is the debutant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Together with his teammate at OKC Thunder Dort, he is expected to generate the main volume of points. Canada will be missing arguably their best player Jamal Murray and without him, SGA will have to do a lot more scoring.

The Canadians certainly looked like medal contenders in their first 2 matches as they achieved sounding wins in both. First trashed France 95-65 and then as was expected beat the modest team of Lebanon 128-73. The Maple Leafs looked impressive at both ends of the floor in those matches. Dillon Brooks is an early candidate for Best Defender of the Tournament.

Canada injury report:

  • No injuries to report ahead of the game and everyone in the 12-man roster seems to be in good health.

Canada starting lineup:

D. Powell, K. Olynyk, Z. Edey, L. Dort & Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Latvia news, injuries, and starting lineups

Latvia opened their World Cup with an easy 109-70 win vs Lebanon. The Latvians shot 51.4% from beyond the arc as a team (18 out of 35) in this match and this was what made the difference early.

Losing their star player Kristas Porzingis due to injury only days before the start of the tournament seriously dented Latvia’s chances to progress. Still, even without him, Latvia have gifted scorers in their roster but the big question is can they defend?

The answer in their second match was a sounding yes with the Latvians causing the biggest upset of the tournament so far with their 88-86 win vs France that saw the bronze medalists from the last World Cup sent packing home early.

Latvia are high on confidence and they would want to enter the next phase with a win in their bag already.

Latvia injury report:

  • Kristas Porzingis (PF) – set to miss the entire tournament
  • Dai. Bertans (SF) – day-to-day – hurt in the first half vs France and never returned for the last 2 quarters

Latvia starting lineup:

R. Kurucs, D. Bertans, A. Zagars. R. Smits & A. Grazulis

Canada vs Latvia where to watch on TV/live stream

The only way to watch any match at the FIBA World Cup in the UK is via the streaming service FIBA Courtside 1891. Meanwhile, the USA and Australia will both broadcast the tournament on their respective ESPN channels.

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