FIBA World Cup predictions, odds, and betting tips for USA vs Lithuania on September 3. FIBA World Cup betting free pick and SGP.
“No rebounds — no rings.” This oft-quoted NBA aphorism remains as true today as it did when Pat Riley quipped it back in the 80s. And while Team USA hasn’t abandoned the glass, it does remain one of their only real weaknesses as the knockout rounds loom at the FIBA World Cup.
That weakness is going to be put under a magnifying glance on Sunday, as the Americans face off againstand Lithuania. Valanciunas is one of the best rebounders in the NBA, and he’s been on a tear so far in the tournament. He’s seven feet tall and 265 pounds with great hands, and if boxing out is truly a lost art, he’s one of its few remaining maestros.Cleaning the Glass
, he gobbled up 28.6% of opponent-missed field goals — both a career-best and in the 99th percentile among all big men. He’s been in the 90th percentile or higher in terms of defensive rebounding in seven of the last eight seasons and was also in the 83rd percentile among offensive rebounders for his position at 11.8%. The guy just eats glass.
JV is averaging 9.8 rebounds per game in the World Cup, but that number is artificially lowered because Lithuania has been hammering the opposition. They’ve outscored opponents by an average of 25.2 points, which has allowed them to ease the workload on Valanciunas and their other star players. JV has played 21 or fewer minutes in three of the four games, so to be averaging just shy of 10 boards per contest is mighty impressive.Jaren Jackson Jr.
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