Group A in EuroBasket boasts a wealth of talent. With two games played for each team, the standings are beginning to take shape. Serbia, as many expected, is starting to pull ahead at the top. Meanwhile, Latvia is firmly on the bubble for the Round of 16 and starting to feel the pressure.
The Serbians are 13-point favorites and hold -900 odds on the moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 170.5 points. Letโs get into a prediction and pick for the SerbiaโLatvia matchup.
Serbia vs. Latvia prediction, pick
The Serbians have cruised to start their EuroBasket campaign, with two wins in two games. They dismantled Estonia in the opener before surviving a tougher test against Portugal in Game 2. Of course, Nikola Jokic is hoopingโdropping dimes and filling up the stat sheet once again. But the early breakout story of the tournament is Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic. The 6’10” two-way wing has scored 18 points in each of the first two games and has looked fantastic doing it.
Serbia already had a strong formula with Jokic setting the offensive tone and Bogdan Bogdanovic running and gunning. They have decent defensive depth and plenty of size. Jovicโs emergence adds a new dimensionโif he can maintain this level of play. Large, athletic, strong on defense and in transition, and a shooterโheโs exactly the kind of power forward you want next to the Joker. But theyโll face their biggest frontcourt test so far against Latvia.
The Latvian team is a bit of a one-man show. Kristaps Porzingis remains one of the best big men in the NBA when healthy, and he provides Latvia with a significant boost in international play. After being defeated in Game 1 by a strong Turkish team, they needed a win in Game 2 against Estonia to keep their hopes of advancing alive. KP put on a show to push them across the finish line.
Heโll need to bring his A-game on both ends of the court to keep Latvia in this one. Much of Serbiaโs success hinges on Jokic and his post play, and Porzingisโ presence wonโt be enough to deliver a win on its ownโbut he can help keep it close.
