FIBA World Cup

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

September 3, 2023 12:28 am

The  FIBA World Cup is about to offer us a shocking exit for one of the most fancied teams to go all the way. As things stand only the winner of the clash between the defending champions Spain and the best team from the group stage and second in the odds favourite for the title Canada will progress as the two mighty nations clash with each other.

Spain vs Canada basketball predictions

Can Spain’s experience guide them through? Will the Canadians show enough composure? Here are our Spain vs Canada basketball predictions.

Prediction 1: Spain to Win @ 7/4 (2.75)

With our first prediction, we back defending world champions Spain to find a way to win. Spain are seasoned tournament winners, while Canada have never finished higher than 6th at a World Cup. The Spanish might have only 2 NBA players on their roster but most of the others play for top European teams, mainly Real Madrid and Barcelona, so the Spanish certainly know how to win FIBA-rules matches.

Spain have won medals in 11 of the last 13 major tournaments they entered, while Canada have won nothing in their history in terms of major trophies. So, in the circumstances of an elimination scenario like the coming match we back the team that have done it time and time again to succeed again.

SPA vs CAN scaled
Photo by Icon sport

Prediction 2: RJ Barrett under 2.5 3PT FG @ 3/5 (1.60)

Our second Spain vs Canada prediction looks at Canada’s shooting guard RJ Barrett. We don’t think he will be shooting well from a distance in the coming match and that’s why we don’t expect him to hit more than 2 shots from beyond the arc. Spain’s defence is known for defending their perimeter very well.

Barrett showed he struggles against teams that do that. He shot well against 2 weaker opponents but against France and Brazil, he combined for 2 from 12 from beyond the arc.

Spain vs Canada preview – will experience prevail over exuberance?

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

Spain news, injuries, and starting lineups

Spain opened the defence of their title with a routine 94-64 win vs Ivory Coast. The Spanish won all 4 quarters and also scored 20+ points in each of the 4 quarters. Willy Hernangomez had an excellent showing with his 22 points. His brother Juan Hernangomez was the only other starter in double digits with his 11 points.

Spain dominated easily in their next two matches too. They beat Brazil 96-78 and wrapped up the first phase with an 85-65 win vs Iran. Impressively, Spain have won 11 of the 12 quarters of basketball they played so far in this tournament and they continue to have the most points in the paint.

Willy Hernangomez hasn’t even attempted a shot from beyond the arc yet. He still averages 17.3 points per game with all of his baskets coming at the rim where he, and often his brother, dominate with ease.

Spain’s momentum was halted when they lost 69-74 vs Latvia on Friday. The Spanish played a decent match but late on 2 turnovers proved decisive to see them beaten for the first time. Now the defending champions know that only a win can help them.

Spain injury report:

  • N/A

Spain starting lineup:

W. Hernangomz, J. Parra, J. Hernagomez, A. Abrines, J. Nunez

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 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. First trashed France 95-65 and then as was expected beat the modest team of Lebanon 128-73. After that, in a direct battle for the top spot in the group, they humiliated Latvia 101-75. 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, it all unfolded for them on Friday when their shooting was dreadful against Brazil and this led to a 65-69 defeat. The result means that now just to reach the quarterfinals Canada will have to beat the defending champions. Will they show better composure than what we witnessed on Friday?

Canada injury report:

  • N/A

Canada starting lineup:

D. Powell, K. Olynyk, Z. Edey, D. Brooks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Spain vs Canada 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 Canada will both broadcast the tournament on their respective ESPN channels.

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