August 27 preview: Time for more clarity in Groups of Death

MANILA (Philippines) - The do-or-die season came early in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, with Sunday's action featuring a few crucial games across the board, but in the groups bearing the 'Group of Death' label in particular.

 

If Saturday gave us our first overtime and its share of unbelievable individual performances, Sunday will present us with quite the slate of games in Groups A, D, E and H.

Latvia shoot for the stars against Les Bleus

It's just one game. Tough, 30-point defeats against teams like Canada can happen even to a team like France. But, do you know what works in Latvia's favor? Have to say it again... It's just one game!

Latvia need to repeat a lot from their 18-of-35 shooting night from downtown against Lebanon and they could, theoretically speaking, be Second Round bound. Their 109 points scored on opening day is still this World Cup's highest mark.

We know better than to underrate the Tokyo 2020 runners-up. History works in France's favor as well. France is currently on a seven-game winning streak against Latvia, which includes four victories in FIBA EuroBasket's 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Regardless of the outcome, this will have to be considered a crucial game for the team that flew to Indonesia with trophy aspirations.

 

Does anything become more clear in Group E?

Australia and Germany started off the tournament with convincing wins against Finland and Japan respectively. Now that they face each other in what could be a game for the ages, we might possibly even determine the winner of Group E.

Patty Mills is climbing up the historic leaderboards, Josh Giddey is on triple-double watch, while Dennis Schroder is his usual self (and he's now blocking shots!) for Germany who benefited from a huge game by the elder Wagner brother. We couldn't even begin to name all the national heroes to play in this game.

However, everything can change in a minute in groups like this. Either the Aussies or Die Mannschaft will end the day at 1-1, with real prospects of a nervous third game.

Both Finland and Japan will look to move up in the world and set themselves up nicely for the last gameday. Both Lauri Markkanen (19 points) and Yuta Watanabe (20) are capable of even more high-scoring performances if their three-ball begins to fall.

 

Are Gilas Pilipinas up for the challenge of Angola?

Philippines have the backing of record-breaking crowds, so even a missed opportunity against the Dominican Republic isn't the end of the world.

That being said, you have to admire the fight that their next opponent Angola put up against group favorites Italy, trailing by only five points with five minutes remaining in the game. The 1.67m (5ft 6in) Childe Dundao was raining down three-pointers, while Bruno Fernando poses a threat underneath for the hosts.

Who can help Jordan Clarkson get Philippines to the Second Round remains a question. Yet we already seem to know that Group A is starting to have its own vibe of unpredictability.

Other storylines for August 27

• As for the other Group A matchup, there's a question whether Italy can keep Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic out of their paint. KAT had a triumphant return to his national team with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 15-of-16 shooting from the free throw line, while the team itself grabbed 17 offensive rebounds.

• If we're talking about rebounds, we're obliged to mention Jonas Valanciunas. JV needed only 17 minutes to register a double-double against Egypt. Now, against Mexico he can become the second player after Jose Ortiz to have multiple double-doubles in three World Cup tournaments since data was recorded in 1994.

• Meanwhile, Montenegro will continue to test new waters with Nikola Vucevic, the best player that nobody talks about, leading their efforts . After beating Mexico in their first-ever matchup, Montenegro is set for their first game ever against Egypt.

• Canada. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Lebanon. Collision course. We can't wait to see The Land of Maple Leaf and SGA back in action against The Cedars.

FIBA