Josh Giddey made history on his World Cup debut and yet the Boomers had to work hard to progress out of their group as the second-best team. Australia now take on Luke Doncic’s Slovenia knowing that only a win could keep their medal hopes alive. Doncic is also dreaming of the medals though so the match promises to be exciting. This is our preview of the game, along with some of our favourite betting tips for this duel.
- Date & Time: Friday, September 01, 2023, 1:10 p.m. GMT
- Venue: Okinawa Arena – Okinawa, Japan
Slovenia vs Australia basketball predictions
While the two teams are seen as serious contenders during this World Cup, there are some interesting betting markets to explore here. So, let’s take a closer look at our latest Slovenia vs Australia basketball predictions:
Prediction 1: Slovenia over 83.5 total points @ 11/20 (1.55)
Our first prediction backs Slovenia to score at least 84 points in this match. The Slovenians easily went over this mark in all of their group-stage matches. They also scored 85 points or more in their last 4 warmup games before the tournament.
Having the World Cup’s leading scorer Luka Doncic (30.0 points per game) in their ranks gives us extra confidence that Slovenia will once again cover this spread.
Prediction 2: Luka Doncic over 7.5 assists @ 17/20 (1.85)
Our next Slovenia vs Australia prediction looks at the man himself. Luka Doncic is the front-runner for MVP of the World Cup with his 30.0 points per game so far. Luka averaged nearly 10 assists per game during the NBA season and he is on 7.0 assists per match so far this World Cup.
However, we know that the deeper his team gets his numbers tend to rise and he seems to be able to find another level with each passing phase. That’s why we expected Luka’s averages to increase all across the board from now on. This will mean for him to start recording 8+ assists per match and we know he can do that easily.
Slovenia vs Australia preview – Can the Boomers contain Luka?
Now let’s take a closer look at the latest Slovenia vs Australia team news ahead of their meeting:
Slovenia news, injuries, and starting lineups
Slovenia did what was expected from them and they topped their group with 3 easy double-digit wins. Against Venezuela and Georgia in the first 2 matches it was Luka-time. Doncic scored 37 and 34 points in those games and he shot 51.5% from the floor in the 2 matches combined.
Luka’s focus was missing against Cape Verde and he shot just over 30% and scored ‘only’ 19 points. Still, Slovenia won easily even without him being in the zone. The Slovenians scored 100, 88 and 92 points in those 3 matches and they find it easy to get buckets when Doncic is orchestrating things.
Slovenia injury report:
- N/A
Slovenia starting lineup:
M. Tobey, B. Preperic, A. Nikolic, K. Prepelic, L. Doncic
Australia news, injuries, and starting lineups
The Boomers suffocated Finland in their first game and easily won 98-82. Veteran Patty Mills led the way with 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting. However, the history makers will remember the match for Josh Giddey’s debut. With 14 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists the OKC Thunder point guard became only the 2nd man in history after LeBron James to have a 10-5-5 FIBA World Cup debut.
Despite, missing their main centre Jock Landale the Boomers made a decent job of protecting their paint with Nick Kay playing well.
Australia looked much more vulnerable in the paint against the taller Germans and this was why they lost 82-85. However, they avoided a major disaster with an easy win over Japan in their final game of the group.
The defeat vs Germany leaves them exposed though and now the pressure is back on as a potential defeat vs Slovenia would almost certainly end Australia’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
The big question is can Thybulle avoid switches when he guards Luka? Also, how often the Boomers will try to trap and double-team Doncic?
Australia injury report:
- Jock Landale (C) – ruled out of the tournament
Australia starting lineup:
D. Reath, N. Kay, M. Thybulle, J. Giddey & P. Mills
Where to watch Slovenia vs Australia on TV/live stream
If you live in the UK, you can watch all FIBA World Cup matches via FIBA’s streaming service Courtside 1891. Meanwhile, in the USA, the World Cup will be shown on ESPN2 and ESPN+. Australian fans can watch their team also on ESPN from all across Oz.
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