FIBA World Cup

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

The  FIBA World Cup is about to enter its second phase and two of the big basketball nations will cross swords at the start of the next group phase. Defending champions Spain are yet to lose. Latvia are under pressure though as they enter this phase 2-1, so another defeat now likely ends their quarterfinal dreams.

Spain vs Latvia basketball predictions

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

Prediction 1: Over 161.5 total points @ 1/2 (1.50)

With our first prediction, we back the game to have at least 162 total points in it. All of Latvia’s 3 group-stage matches went over 170 points. Spain scored 85 or more in all of their 3 matches during the first phase.

Also, 3 of the last 4 H2Hs went over that mark.

SPA vs LAT
Photo by Icon sport

Prediction 2: Willy Hernangomez over 14.5 points @ 3/4 (1.75)

Our second Spain vs Latvia prediction backs Spain’s aggressive centre Willy Hernangomez to score at least 15 points. Willy averaged 17.3 points per game during the group stage. He went for 16 or more in 2 of the 3 matches. Only against Brazil, he fell short when he had 14 points.

With the Latvians missing some important bigs due to injuries, we back Willy to dominate inside the paint and get his customary 8-9 field goals. This will take him over the 14.5-point mark.

Spain vs Latvia preview – Can somebody contain the brothers?

Now let’s look at the latest Spain vs Latvia 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 though with all of his baskets coming at the rim where he, and often his brother, dominate with ease.

Spain are full of confidence right now and they are expected to continue forcing the issue in the paint where the Hernangomez brothers keep getting easy baskets.

Spain injury report:

  • N/A

Spain starting lineup:

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

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.

Spa vs La scaled
(Photo by Herve Bellenger/Icon Sport)

Latvia got grounded in the final game of the group stage though. They lost 75-101 vs Canada and on that occasion, their shooting from distance let them down as they shot below 34% from beyond the arc.

The Latvians also struggled to defend their paint well in this tournament and from the 16 teams that qualified for the second stage they have the third-worst record in terms of points in the paint allowed.

Latvia injury report:

  • Kristas Porzingis (PF) – set to miss the entire tournament
  • Dai. Bertans (SF) – day-to-day – hurt in game 2 of the first group stage, missed the last match

Latvia starting lineup:

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

Spain 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.


Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!