USA vs. Finland Preview and Prediction
The basketball version of the World Cup begins Saturday, August 30, 2014. The tournament takes place in different venues in Spain. The USA opens with Finland and here is a preview and prediction for the game.
The USA is led by Coach K and will be without the services of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams who led the team to the gold medal back in 2012. Here is the roster that has been downsized to 12 players:
USA
C DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
C Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
C Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets
F/C Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
F Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
F Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings
G/F DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
G James Harden, Houston Rockets
G Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
G Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
The USA will play an exhibition game on August 26 against Slovenia in Gran Canaria before traveling to Barakaldo to face Finland on Saturday. Here are the USA exhibitons that include wins by 17, 43 and 26 points. The team is young and doesn't have much experience in international basketball.
Beat Brazil 95-78 in Chicago
Beat Dominican Republic 105-63 in NYC
Beat Puerto Rico 112-86 in NYC
Here is Finland's roster. Gerald Lee played at Old Dominion University and Erik Murphy played at Florida and is now on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster.
Shawn Huff
Mikko Koivisto
Petteri Koponen
Tuukka Kotti
Gerald Lee
Antero Lehto
Erik Murphy
Kimmo Muurinen
Hanno Möttölä
Matti Nuutinen
Teemu Rannikko
Sasu Salin
Finland has played a few exhibiton games:
Lost to Germany by 7
Lost to Lithuania by 9
Lost to Australia by 5
Lost to Lithuania by 17
Beat Australia by 6
Lost to Australia by 23
Lost to France by 5
In the opener, I expect the USA to jump ahead early and play all 12 players. Since they have to play again on Sunday, I don't think the Americans will focus on blowing out Finland. The underdogs have played France, Lithuania and Australia so they have played some decent teams in preparation for the World Cup. USA plays a fast game and plays better defense than most teams. I expect the USA to win by 30 to 35 points so I like Finland getting a ton of points. Finland +39 is my pick.
USA vs. Finland
Finland +39