2019 Basketball World Championship Qualifiers Ukraine vs Turkey Preview and Prediction

Date/Time:  06-28-2018, 13:00 EDT

Spread: Turkey -5.5

Total: +147.5

The two best teams of Group B are clashing today, when Turkey (2-2), who are tied in the second place and have lost two straight games, are hosting the Group leaders of Ukraine (3-1), who have won two straight and want to extend their winning streak. The games takes place at the Ankara Arena of Ankara, on Thursday, June 28th 2018.

Turkey have a 2-2 record so far in the tournament and are currently tied with Latvia in the second place of Group B and remain second by winning the tie-breaker. They have back-to-back losses and in their last game they lost on the road against Latvia with a 79-70 score. They are led in scoring by Melih Mahmutoglu with 12.3 ppg, followed by Sertac Sanli with 10.3 ppg. Baris Ermis adds 7.3 ppg, 3.7 boards and a team high 5.7 dimes per game and also leads the team in efficiency (12.3).    

Top Basketball Bookmakers

Ukraine have a 3-1 record so far in the tournament and currently sit in the first place of Group B. They have back-to-back wins and in their last game they won at home against Sweden with a 77-66 score. They are led in scoring by Eugene Jeter with 15.5 ppg, adding a team high 5.5 dimes per game. He is followed by Viacheslav Kravtsov with 14.8 ppg and a team high 7.5 boards per game, while Sergii Gladyr adds 12.5 ppg and 5 boards per game.

In their previous meeting back in the 2017 World Cup, Turkey won with a 60-67 score. Ukraine are better offensively, scoring 75.8 ppg to Turkey’s 70, while Turkey are better defensively, allowing 67.8 ppg to Ukraine’s 69.3. Ukraine have the third-best 2-point percentage in the tournament, shooting with 56.1% to Turkey’s 46.9%, while Turkey have a better free throw percentage (71.7% to 68.9%) and both teams have identical 3-point percentage, shooting with 33.3% both. They are also equal in rebounding, grabbing 38 and 37 each and commit exactly 12 turnovers per game. Ukraine are better in assists made, with 20 to Turkey’s 16. Ukraine have been playing much better in the tournament so far but Vegas odds give Turkey a -5.5 spread for this game and don’t expect them to beat the odds as Ukraine will force a closer game than that.

Ukraine vs Turkey Prediction: Ukraine +5.5 (-115)