Tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM EST Team USA will face the Turkish national team in the Finals of the FIBA World Championships. Team USA played great in their semifinal vs Lithuania, leading the way was Kevin Durant with 38 points and 8 rebounds. Also contributing with very solid games were Durant’s teammate with the Thunder Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom. Saturday’s game was the best all-around game of the Championships thus far for the U.S. but they will need an even better effort on Sunday to top the host team Turkey. Earlier today Turkey just squeaked by Serbia, on a layup from point guard Kerem Tunceri with 0.5 seconds. Just like Team USA, Turkey has yet to lose a game in these Championships, beating quality opponents like Greece, Russia, and today Serbia. With three NBA players on their roster, Turkey is no slouch. I think the size advantage with Asik down low could hurt the U.S., but Kevin Durant is an even bigger mismatch for Turkey. This is going to be a great basketball game, plus Turkey’s obvious home court advantage will benefit them down the stretch. I know it is the first Sunday in the NFL but you better tune into this basketball game because it will be one for the ages.
Come to the blog during the game for updates after each quarter as well as after the game.
Starting Lineups
C: Lamar Odom C: Omer Asik
F: Kevin Durant F: Ersan Ilyasova
F: Andre Iguodala F: Hedo Turkoglu
G: Chauncey Billups G: Omer Onan
G: Derrick Rose G: Kerem Tunceri
Team USA’s X factor: Russell Westbrook
Team Turkey’s X factor: Omer Asik
Prediction: USA 83 Turkey 80
I don't think the game is going to be that close. All Turkey has is Hedo Turkogulu. U.S has Durant and Billups I got USA 90 Turkey 73
ReplyDeleteDurant can not keep playing this well Hedo and Ersan will slow him down. Turkey will be the Champions
ReplyDelete