Puerto Rico vs. Lithuania Preview: Sabonis Seeks Olympic Berth as Puerto Rico Aims for Upset at Home

On July 8, Puerto Rico will face Lithuania in the Olympic men’s basketball qualification match. Both teams emerged from their respective groups in Puerto Rico, setting up a decisive clash for a spot in the Olympics.

Puerto Rico comfortably defeated Mexico 98-78 in the semifinals. Waters led with 24 points, while Howard contributed 20, and Alvarado added 12 points. With this victory, Puerto Rico has now won three consecutive games. Playing on home soil, the team is highly motivated to secure the Olympic ticket.

Lithuania, on the other hand, also had an easy win over Italy in the semis, prevailing 88-64. Despite Sabonis’ modest performance of 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, Lithuania demonstrated its strong team dynamics. Grigonis scored 23 points, and Kuzminskas chipped in with 14. Lithuania has also secured a 3-game winning streak, displaying solid form.

In their encounter, both Puerto Rico and Lithuania have their strengths. Lithuania ranks 10th in the world, while Puerto Rico sits at 16th. Sabonis, an NBA All-Star, headlines Lithuania’s roster, supported by players like Kuzminskas and Grigonis, who possess significant talent. Additionally, Lithuania boasts extensive experience, consistently being a top-four Olympic contender. In contrast, although Alvarado and Waters are competent, they lag behind Lithuania in terms of overall quality. Furthermore, Lithuania holds a significant advantage in the paint with taller and more physically imposing players.

Nonetheless, Puerto Rico’s quick and agile style, along with the scoring prowess of their American-style guards, gives them an edge that Lithuania lacks. Moreover, playing at home is a crucial factor, as hosts often receive some advantage in FIBA competitions, as seen in previous qualifying tournaments. For Lithuania, securing an Olympic berth will not be a straightforward task.