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Both Canada and Slovenia reached the quarterfinals with 4-1 records. For the Canadians, this is the first World Cup quarterfinal since 1994. Slovenia are in the last 8 for a third straight big tournament. What can we expect from this duel? Keep reading to find out.
- Date & Time: Wednesday, September 06, 2023, 1:30 p.m. GMT
- Venue: Mall of Asia Arena – Manila, Philippines
Canada vs Slovenia basketball predictions
Contents
This clash promises to be exciting with Slovenia’s superstar Luka Doncic ready to tackle an impressive Canadian team that is full of ambition to go past the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. So, let’s take a closer look at our Canada vs Slovenia basketball predictions:
Prediction 1: Canada over 89.5 points @ 1/2 (1.50)
Our first prediction for the Canada vs Slovenia match backs the Canadians to score at least 90 points. Canada are averaging 95.4 points per match so far this tournament and they have been scoring with ease. At the same time, of the 8 teams in the quarterfinals, Slovenia have the second-worst defensive efficiency.
The combination of these two facts make us confident that the Canadians will reach the 90-point mark.
Prediction 2: Mike Tobey over 11.5 points @ 3/5 (1.60)
Our next pick focuses on Slovenia’s centre Mike Tobey. He has been very good for Slovenia so far and he had 2 big scoring games already. Those were against teams with small squads and poor presence inside the paint. This is exactly what Canada are with Olynyk not a very intimidating centre. Tobey will dominate inside the paint, we have no doubt. With Luka feeding him passes we can see Tobey get at least a dozen points in this match. That is his average for the tournament anyway – 12.0 points per game.
Canada vs Slovenia preview – can Luke and size beat the Maple Leafs?
Now let’s take a closer look at the latest Canada vs Slovenia team news ahead of their meeting in the second round at the FIBA World Cup:
Canada news, injuries, and starting lineups
Canada are a team full of ambition and desire but they lack the experience. Their best finish so far at a World Cup has been 6th place.
Their main star of this World Cup is the debutant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Together with RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk, he is scoring the bulk of the points for the Maple Leafs.
The Canadians certainly looked like medal contenders in their first 3 matches as they achieved sounding wins. All by 20 points or more margins. 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.
However, in the second phase, the Canadians had to show character and fighting spirit. They first lost 65-69 vs Brazil and in their latest match edged defending champions Spain 88-85 to eliminate them and progress in their place to the quarterfinals. The Canadians trailed by 12 points at the start of the fourth quarter vs Spain but somehow SGA show saw them win the last period 27-12 to progress.
This is Canada’s first quarterfinal of a World Cup since 1994. The Canadians have never finished higher than 6th at a World Cup so they have never been past this stage before.
Canada injury report:
- N/A
Canada starting lineup:
D. Powell, K. Olynyk, Z. Edey, D. Brooks, S. Gilgeous-Alexander
Slovenia news, injuries, and starting lineups
Slovenia did what was expected from them and they topped their group with 3 easy double-digit wins.
With the Dallas Mavericks superstar Doncic running the show at point guard and the Crvena Zvezda centre Mike Tobey playing like a beast inside the paint, the Slovenians made it 4 wins out 4 when they beat Australia 91-80. The Tobey-Doncic connection has produced 106 points already this tournament and these two understand each other perfectly on the basketball court.
The first defeat of the tournament came in the last match when the much taller German side won 100-71. The Slovenians still progressed through to the quarterfinals for the third time in a row in a big tournament though.
They are highly ambitious and with Luka Doncic in their ranks, they believe that the medals are a reachable goal. Can their greater experience in such matches help them overcome the Canadians?
Slovenia injury report:
- N/A
Slovenia starting lineup:
M. Tobey, B. Preperic, A. Nikolic, K. Prepelic, L. Doncic
Canada vs Slovenia head-to-head matchups
These two teams have met only once before. Back in 2008, Slovenia won in an Olympic qualifier. No player involved back then will play now.
Where to watch Canada vs Slovenia on TV/live stream
UK residents can watch all FIBA World Cup matches on FIBA’s streaming service Courtside 1891. On the other hand, you can watch this tournament on ESPN2 and ESPN+ in the United States and Canada.
Meanwhile, Slovenia residents can see their team on the public channel called RTV.
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