I can't see it being that high...The games are getting tougher now...
Lithuania has a kid that played at Md who can flat out shoot the rock..<Sarunus>
, Last time around he single handidly kept Lithuania in the game vs U.S.A. , and that team was much better than this U.S. squad...this Lithuanian team is younger than the the teams they usually field...
Lithuania by 3
Lithuania has a kid that played at Md who can flat out shoot the rock..<Sarunus>
, Last time around he single handidly kept Lithuania in the game vs U.S.A. , and that team was much better than this U.S. squad...this Lithuanian team is younger than the the teams they usually field...
Lithuania by 3
Perception versus Reality. Not what it should be, but what it will be. Agree the number should be low, probably in the 1 to 3 point range, but expect the books to continue making the USA team a stronger favorite then they should be. As a result, currently 0-3 ATS in these games. Should be interesting to see what the opening and closing line will be.
Betfair, which has been making the early basketball line throughout, has USA -5.5.
FWIW, since the hold is still crazy, the odds are USA -5.5 +130 and Lithuania +5.5 -500.
Betfair has been pretty good setting the line, compared with offshores, so I expect -3.5 to -6.5.
Perhaps smart money will be Lithuania straight up?
FWIW, since the hold is still crazy, the odds are USA -5.5 +130 and Lithuania +5.5 -500.
Betfair has been pretty good setting the line, compared with offshores, so I expect -3.5 to -6.5.
Perhaps smart money will be Lithuania straight up?
My numbers were on the mark as the opener at CRIS was a 3. However, from what I have seen, this is a false favorite. LTU is the best team in this bracket. Not by a little either. If I had a crystal ball, I would say Spain and Lithuania for Gold game. Spain shot miserably from 3 last game. They also caught Argentina in a good spot. But for now I keep going against this USA dream team. $L and points. Best Wishes...OF
I checked out Lithuania's roster. Only name I recognized was Darius Songaila of Wake Forest fame. That being said, he is a better outside shooter than anyone on Team USA. I'd have to bet Lithuania with the 2.5 or sit it out. I fin it very hard to root for the US in men's hoops as well, they just don't play the game the way it was meant to be played (outside of Duncan).
Lithuanians have most all of the key ingredients of their 2000 team back. That's the one that fell a rimmed three pointer short of the USA upset against far greater talent.
While they have Songaila, he has not been in as much as you might expect. There is a guy who turned down a very lucrative contract with the Bulls to keep playing in Spain. They have another guy who looks and plays like Nash. And the guy in the post is your typical Sabonis, Divac prototype. The key factor is that this is an international battle hardened, cohesive and mature squad which will simply WANT this game more. Three bronzes in a row.... bring home the gold and they will be royalty in a basketball crazed country.
Donnie Nelson on the sidelines is a big help.
I will be wearing my official Jerry Garcia and the Dead Lithuanian tie dyed Bronze Medal in Barcelona '92 shirt.
While they have Songaila, he has not been in as much as you might expect. There is a guy who turned down a very lucrative contract with the Bulls to keep playing in Spain. They have another guy who looks and plays like Nash. And the guy in the post is your typical Sabonis, Divac prototype. The key factor is that this is an international battle hardened, cohesive and mature squad which will simply WANT this game more. Three bronzes in a row.... bring home the gold and they will be royalty in a basketball crazed country.
Donnie Nelson on the sidelines is a big help.
I will be wearing my official Jerry Garcia and the Dead Lithuanian tie dyed Bronze Medal in Barcelona '92 shirt.
Kenny the game has changed. I don't think many would argue that the USA squad has the most talent. It is a team game and they play much poorer as a team than the top tier teams. outside shooting is also paramount with the 3 point line closer in and the USA is very weak here. I had a small wager on the USA to win gold and lanned to scalp out of it. After their loss to PR that was impossible so I ate a loss and bet the field. I would still love to see it but this team will not win the gold and may not even medal.
Mr. Jones I think you are referring to Arvydas Macijauskas. This kid is a stud. Would probably be All Star pg in NBA, in two seasons. He took Lithuania to European Championships, and won Gold. They were 11th without him. Kid is a deadeye lefty. In that tourney he was 28 for 28 from ft line, leading scorer and high 3pt %. He will wear Iverson out. Darius is decent in NBA, can't get minutes on this squad. The Lithuanians are very passionate about their basketball, and have a long history of producing quality players. Secondly, this team is a hardened veteran group, winning the Gold here in Europe, and playing together for years. They will abuse the confused and young USA squad. Many on this squad are NBA caliber, but choose to remain in Europe. Long ago when Communism fell, they were flying out of the country. Now with country and Europe stable, they can earn at home. What this team is, beside a team, is an experienced international squad, with a rabid fan base. While they have stayed on track, cruising by weak bracket team, the US has struggled mightily. In my opinion, the wrong team is favored. I am pretty heavy on this, against the USA, again. From the start Lithuania and Argentina were my teams. Let's see how the US fares against a real basketball team. Best Wishes...OF
