Brazil vs. Argentina
FIBA World Cup
Sunday (Sept. 7, 2014)
Argentina +6
These two are South American rivals and Argentina seems to get the best of them in past meetings. They are led by Luis Scola but are without some key players like Manu Ginoboli. Brazil is favored by 6 points and are 4-1 with a 2 point loss to France and an 6 point win vs. Serbia while losing by 19 to Spain. They won big as expected against Iran and Egypt. Argentina is 3-2 with losses by 5 to Croatia and by 8 to Greece. These two split games earlier in August. Hopefully, we see a close game on Sunday.
Argentina +6
FIBA World Cup
Sunday (Sept. 7, 2014)
Argentina +6
These two are South American rivals and Argentina seems to get the best of them in past meetings. They are led by Luis Scola but are without some key players like Manu Ginoboli. Brazil is favored by 6 points and are 4-1 with a 2 point loss to France and an 6 point win vs. Serbia while losing by 19 to Spain. They won big as expected against Iran and Egypt. Argentina is 3-2 with losses by 5 to Croatia and by 8 to Greece. These two split games earlier in August. Hopefully, we see a close game on Sunday.
Argentina +6
USA vs. Slovenia
Tuesday (Sept. 9, 2014)
Slovenia +25.5
These two met in the warm up before the World Cup started and the USA won 101-71. Slovenia should be used to the style of the Americans. Goran Dragic and his brother will be needed to score and they also have Omic, Muric and Lorbek. Slovenia is 4-1 with a 3 point loss to Lithuania. They did beat Australia by 10, Mexico by 21, So Korea by 25 and by 6 over Angola.
USA has wins by 24 over Ukraine, NZ by 27 and by 21 over Turkey but did play reserves in 4th quarters with large leads. It does concern me that 30 point wins turned into 25 point margins. The USA will still have to play Lithuania (or Turkey) in the semis and probably Spain in the finals so they should be happy to win by about 20 points and then focus on the next game.
The USA team is very good on offense even without stars like Lebron, Kobe and Durant as Curry, Anthony Davis, Faried, Thompson, Irving, etc. have been solid so far.
The USA could win by 30 but Slovenia has some solid players and motivation from an earlier loss to the favorites.
Slovenia +25.5
Tuesday (Sept. 9, 2014)
Slovenia +25.5
These two met in the warm up before the World Cup started and the USA won 101-71. Slovenia should be used to the style of the Americans. Goran Dragic and his brother will be needed to score and they also have Omic, Muric and Lorbek. Slovenia is 4-1 with a 3 point loss to Lithuania. They did beat Australia by 10, Mexico by 21, So Korea by 25 and by 6 over Angola.
USA has wins by 24 over Ukraine, NZ by 27 and by 21 over Turkey but did play reserves in 4th quarters with large leads. It does concern me that 30 point wins turned into 25 point margins. The USA will still have to play Lithuania (or Turkey) in the semis and probably Spain in the finals so they should be happy to win by about 20 points and then focus on the next game.
The USA team is very good on offense even without stars like Lebron, Kobe and Durant as Curry, Anthony Davis, Faried, Thompson, Irving, etc. have been solid so far.
The USA could win by 30 but Slovenia has some solid players and motivation from an earlier loss to the favorites.
Slovenia +25.5
USA vs. Canada (ESPN2)
women's basketball
7pm EDT (Sept. 15, 2014)
Canada +30 (Pinnacle)
The women's FIBA championship starts September 27 in Turkey and the USA is a big favorite. Spain, France and Australia are decent teams as well.
The USA women face Canada tonight (Monday) at 7pm EDT on ESPN2. They just played a scrimmage this weekend and it ended 75-52 (127). Pinnacle has the total at 136 while 5 Dimes has it at 139. The USA has plenty of talent but several key players just finished playing in the WNBA finals while Elena Della Donne, Sylvia Fowles and Brittney Griner are getting over injuries. The game is being played in the state of Connecticut and the team is coached by Geno Auriemma.
The USA has used several lineups but they know the system. It will help the underdogs that they just played the USA and will be familiar with them. Canada played some games in Europe this summer and beat Australia (without Lauren Jackson) but lost by 18 to Turkey and by 9 to Brazil. They lost ugly low scoring games to South Korea and Czech in the 56-53 range but did beat Serbia by 19.
The USA women may want to duplicate what the USA men did yesterday and play a high scoring game but I don't think they want to risk injuries and the team leaves Tuesday for some exhibitions overseas before the tourney starts.
Canada has Kia Nurse who will play at UConn so she will be motivated. Miranda Ayim, Nirra Fields and Tatham are decent players on a team that likes to play slow and move the ball around. Hopefully, we see Canada stay close and keep it within 29 points. GL!
Canada +30
women's basketball
7pm EDT (Sept. 15, 2014)
Canada +30 (Pinnacle)
The women's FIBA championship starts September 27 in Turkey and the USA is a big favorite. Spain, France and Australia are decent teams as well.
The USA women face Canada tonight (Monday) at 7pm EDT on ESPN2. They just played a scrimmage this weekend and it ended 75-52 (127). Pinnacle has the total at 136 while 5 Dimes has it at 139. The USA has plenty of talent but several key players just finished playing in the WNBA finals while Elena Della Donne, Sylvia Fowles and Brittney Griner are getting over injuries. The game is being played in the state of Connecticut and the team is coached by Geno Auriemma.
The USA has used several lineups but they know the system. It will help the underdogs that they just played the USA and will be familiar with them. Canada played some games in Europe this summer and beat Australia (without Lauren Jackson) but lost by 18 to Turkey and by 9 to Brazil. They lost ugly low scoring games to South Korea and Czech in the 56-53 range but did beat Serbia by 19.
The USA women may want to duplicate what the USA men did yesterday and play a high scoring game but I don't think they want to risk injuries and the team leaves Tuesday for some exhibitions overseas before the tourney starts.
Canada has Kia Nurse who will play at UConn so she will be motivated. Miranda Ayim, Nirra Fields and Tatham are decent players on a team that likes to play slow and move the ball around. Hopefully, we see Canada stay close and keep it within 29 points. GL!
Canada +30
France vs. Australia
Women's basketball
Saturday (Sept. 20, 2014)
France +6
The women's world championship is set for next Saturday. The USA is a big favorite but next to win it is Spain at 9-1 and Australia/France at 17-1. The two teams at 17 to 1 play each other on Saturday in France. Both played on Friday. The Aussies lost 72-66 to the USA while France won against China by 74-54. The French are a solid defensive team as the total is set at 128.5. Australia is without injured Lauren Jackson but do have 6'8" Liz Cambage and Penny Taylor. I hope the home crowd and the defense of the French can keep this one close.
France +6
Women's basketball
Saturday (Sept. 20, 2014)
France +6
The women's world championship is set for next Saturday. The USA is a big favorite but next to win it is Spain at 9-1 and Australia/France at 17-1. The two teams at 17 to 1 play each other on Saturday in France. Both played on Friday. The Aussies lost 72-66 to the USA while France won against China by 74-54. The French are a solid defensive team as the total is set at 128.5. Australia is without injured Lauren Jackson but do have 6'8" Liz Cambage and Penny Taylor. I hope the home crowd and the defense of the French can keep this one close.
France +6
Cuba vs. Spain
women's BB
1pm eastern (Sunday)
Cuba +18 (Pinnacle)
Spain is at home and beat Canada yesterday by 20 points. They are a tough team and have solid players like Anna Cruz, Torrens and Ndour. Sancho Lyttle is a decent WNBA player for them but she won't play today. Cuba did beat Canada in OT recently in a round robin. Earlier wins by Spain were by 1 over Belarus and by 3 over China. Spain just played yesterday and won big so hopefully, we see Cuba stay within 12 to 17 points and cover. GL!
Cuba +18
women's BB
1pm eastern (Sunday)
Cuba +18 (Pinnacle)
Spain is at home and beat Canada yesterday by 20 points. They are a tough team and have solid players like Anna Cruz, Torrens and Ndour. Sancho Lyttle is a decent WNBA player for them but she won't play today. Cuba did beat Canada in OT recently in a round robin. Earlier wins by Spain were by 1 over Belarus and by 3 over China. Spain just played yesterday and won big so hopefully, we see Cuba stay within 12 to 17 points and cover. GL!
Cuba +18
