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The FIBA World Cup semifinal between Canada and Serbia is scheduled for Friday, September 8. The winner of this game will face either the USA or Germany in the final.
This matchup marks Canada's first-ever World Cup semifinal appearance, signifying the nation's significant progress in nurturing top-tier basketball talent. Canada has impressively scored over 100 points in three of their FIBA World Cup matches this summer. However, they now confront Serbia, a team known for their formidable offense, averaging a remarkable 130.2 points per 100 possessions.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a standout player for Canada, has delivered back-to-back 30-point performances in his recent games. He aims to make history by achieving a third consecutive high-scoring night, putting him in the company of FIBA World Cup legends like Luis Scola, Oscar Schmidt, and Antonello Riva.
Canada is just one step away from reaching the FIBA Basketball World Cup championship game, but they face a formidable challenge in Serbia.
In the quarterfinals, Canada secured a 100-89 victory against Slovenia, led by the offensive prowess of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, who combined to contribute more than half of the team's points.
Serbia, on the other hand, enters this matchup with the momentum of two dominant wins against the Dominican Republic and Lithuania. Bogdan Bogdanovic displayed stellar performance, tallying 41 points on 16-of-20 shooting from the field in these games.
The clash between Canada and Serbia is a pivotal moment in the FIBA World Cup, with both teams vying to keep their gold medal aspirations alive. This article provides insights into the Canada vs. Serbia matchup, including betting odds and key storylines to watch.
There's no doubt that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the standout player in the FIBA World Cup, surpassing the likes of Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, and others. Gilgeous-Alexander's stats speak for themselves: he's averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting an impressive 54.7 percent from the field. He holds the highest efficiency rating in the tournament.
Serbia lacks a lockdown perimeter defender to contain Gilgeous-Alexander, but they excel in transitioning to defense and preventing fast-break points. Serbia's strategy will involve limiting Gilgeous-Alexander's driving opportunities to ensure a competitive game.
Despite a couple of subpar performances earlier in the tournament, RJ Barrett has been a consistent contributor during Canada's World Cup journey. His performance against Slovenia showcased his potential impact, and he's expected to deliver in this crucial matchup against Serbia.
With the FIBA World Cup semifinals here, Serbia and Canada are set to battle for a chance to compete for gold, despite the absence of NBA stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
While Team USA faltered against Lithuania, Serbia displayed a blend of skill and determination to convincingly defeat Lithuania, establishing themselves as a serious contender for the championship. Canada, on the other hand, methodically overcame Slovenia, frustrating Luka Doncic on their way to a comfortable win.
Both teams now stand on the verge of a potential final showdown with either Germany or Team USA.
Our FIBA World Cup predictions for Serbia vs. Canada anticipate RJ Barrett imposing himself inside against Serbia's interior defenders.
Serbia's performance against Lithuania was exceptional, fueled by remarkable energy on the court. Bogdan Bogdanovic shone with 18 first-half points, guiding Serbia to victory. Serbia's fast-break play and the aggressive defensive tactics of Aleksa Avramovic and Stefan Jovic left Lithuania struggling to respond.
In the upcoming game against Canada, Nikola Milutinov's performance may hold the key for Serbia. Pressuring the opposing big men and containing Canada's transition game will be crucial for Serbia. While Bogdanovic faces tough defensive assignments against Dillon Brooks and Luguentz Dort, who are adept NBA defenders, Serbia must maintain smart play, high shooting percentages, free-throw accuracy, and control of the boards to secure a win. However, their defensive transition could be a potential vulnerability, given Canada's proficiency in this aspect.
Canada's journey in this FIBA World Cup was on the brink of elimination during the second phase, but they rallied against Spain to earn a quarterfinal spot. In a tense contest, they defeated Slovenia 100-89.
Canada relies heavily on a short rotation, primarily utilizing seven or eight players, with others only entering when the game is decided. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a top contender for tournament MVP, with RJ Barrett also making significant contributions in the quarterfinals, scoring 24 points. Dillon Brooks takes on the responsibility of guarding opposing team's top guards and handling the gritty work.
Canada's clear advantage lies in their perimeter play and athleticism. They are likely to continue pushing the pace and capitalizing on transition opportunities, as they have throughout the tournament. The challenge for Canada will be containing Milutinov, who has been in good form. Brooks and Dort will need to limit Serbia's offensive rebounds for Canada to secure victory and advance to the finals.
