2019 Basketball World Championship Qualifiers Spain vs Slovenia Preview and Prediction

Date/Time:  06-28-2018, 14:00 EDT

Spread: Slovenia +5

Total: +154.5

In this battle between the two best teams of Group A, the second Slovenia (2-2), who are looking to bounce back after their latest defeat, are hosting the Group leaders Spain (4-0), who have been undefeated so far in the tournament and want to keep it like that. The games takes place at the Stozice Arena of Ljubljana, on Thursday, June 28th 2018.

Slovenia have a 2-2 record so far in the tournament and currently sit in the second place of Group A. They have lost two of their last three matches and in their last game they lost on the road against Belarus with a 93-92 score. They are led in scoring by Klemen Prepelic with 18 ppg, adding a team high 5.5 dimes per game and also leading the team in efficiency (19). He is followed by Jaka Blazic with 15 ppg, adding 4 boards and 3 dimes per game, while Vlatko Cancar adds 11.8 ppg.

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Spain have a perfect 4-0 record so far in the tournament and currently sit in the first place of Group A. They have four consecutive wins and in their last game they won at home against Montenegro with a 79-67 score. They are led in scoring by Quino Colom with 17 ppg, adding 4 boards and a team high 6.3 dimes per game and also leading the team in efficiency (18.8). He is followed by Fran Vasquez with 12.5 ppg and 4.3 boards per game, while Pablo Aguilar adds 10.5 ppg and 3.5 boards.

In their previous meeting back in the 2017 World Cup, Spain won with a 92-84 score. Slovenia are better offensively, scoring 83.5 ppg to Spain’s 83.5, while Spain are better defensively, allowing 74.8 ppg to Slovenia’s 80.5. Slovenia have the second-best 2-point percentage in the tournament, shooting with 58.2% to Spain’s 52.9%, while Spain have a better 3-point percentage, shooting with 39.8% to Slovenia’s 33.7%. Spain are better in rebounding, grabbing 38 to Slovenia’s 33, while Slovenia commit fewer turnovers per game (12 to 14) and both teams dish exactly 20 assists per game. Spain have already been qualified for the next round and Vegas odds give them a -5 spread but don’t expect them to beat the odds as the hosts Slovenia will definitely force a closer game than that.

Spain vs Slovenia Prediction: Slovenia +5 (-119)