Luka Doncic will look to lead Slovenia again to another win when they take on host Japan this Thursday in Group C play. Will the Slovenians go 2-0 with a win? Or will Japan pull the chair from under Slovenia? Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Slovenia vs Japan Summer Olympics Men’s Basketball on July 29, 2021
Where: Saitama Super Arena, Chūō-ku, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture
When: Thursday, July 29, 2021, 12:40 AM ET
Line: Slovenia (-20.5) vs. Japan (+20.5) – view all 2021 Summer Olympics lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the Slovenia (-20.5)
Slovenia’s Olympic experience so far can be summed up in two words: Luka Doncic. It was all Luka Doncic in Slovenia’s 118-100 blowout win over Argentina. The Dallas Mavericks star poured in a total of 48 points on 18/29 shooting from the field and 6/14 from deep against Argentina. He even added 11 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in an absolute show of dominance against a great team. Argentina is objectively a better team than Japan, so expect Doncic to put up great numbers again Thursday, though, he probably could have his minutes managed. In any case, Slovenia still has the likes of Mike Tobey, Vlatko Cancar, and Klemen Prepelic, who can all shine when given increased loads. The bigger Slovenians should also be able to rule the glass after outrebounding Argentina, 59-32.
Betting on the Japan (+20.5)
Although Japan is the underdog in this match — and will be in all the rest of its games in the group stage — at least it’s playing in a familiar atmosphere. That the Japanese lost by just 10 points to Spain (88-77) in the last game could be viewed as a mild surprise. It was only in the second quarter of that game where Japan was outscored by the Spaniards in double digits. Japan even outscored Spain in the fourth period, 21-19. Japan has some potent players on its roster who can keep up with the best in the world in Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe. Both are playing in the NBA. Japan also has Yudai Baba, a speedy forward who’s under contract with the Melbourne United — the reigning (NBL Australia) champions. Hachimura and Watanabe had 20 and 19 points, respectively, against Spain, while Baba added seven points and five assists.
Writer’s Prediction
Slovenia wins, 95-73.
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