Olympics Basketball - Spain v Lithuania

I really can't understand this handicap. It should be smaller in my opinion but I guess bookies prefer to draw bets towards the former World Champions. Lithuania has won all matches up to now except the one they didn't care to win v Australia. In these short-term tournaments it is crucial to keep the winning mentality going.

Spanish have a heavy title to defend but I think the pressure is now bigger as the least they can do, is to be in the final. USA will brush aside Argentina and will be waiting for their prey. The only thing left unknown for that match is the actual difference for Kobe and Co.

Spain & Lithuania have a similar approach for the game with lots of 3-pointers and fast counter attacks. The winner will be judged in 3-4 points margin after all there is a silver medal 'guaranteed' for the winner of this tie. I reckon it is going to be a good old bumpy dogfight.

I think that it suits Lithuanians to go as underdogs on this one. They can take their chances, after watching `em playing with about 70% of their real potential v China I thought they still looked pretty impressive.On the other hand Spain (as Hayate already noted) are not at their best. This match will be totally unpredictable up to the very end.

I was gazing at the screen when I noticed at some point that the Lithuanians had 12/12 free throws in their last match v China. This can play an important part at these semi-final ties as the strategies of both coaches will involve capitalizing on the free throws. Last but not least Lithuanians shoot at an amazing 40.6% at 3-pointers up to now, while the Spaniards struggle with 30.4% in the comparison.

Siskauskas & Jasikevicious performances will be key for Lietuva . Especially Jasikevicious looks like he is being really inspirational for his teamplayers & he is like a second coach to them. If the stars 'are not bright on the night' they are still plenty left (Kaukenas, Kleiza or even Lukauskis as he did with Coratia) to do the trick for a small country who just adore Basketball and are desperately waiting for their national pride to prevail. Maybe they deserve something better as they have been taking 3 Bronze medals in the last 5 Olympics finishing 4th in Athens.

Almost everyone in the Lithuanian team feels confident to go for a 3 pointer. Lithuania has a very good chance on this match. Handicap totally wrong for such a huge importance matchup. Chances for win are SPN 53% LTU 47%. Stick with the underdogs i say. Give me the +7 please, it looks kinda attractive!

Pick : Away +7
Odds : 1.95
Stake : 7 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Match Result : 91-86
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