Montenegro and Lithuania have both advanced to the next round after successfully winning their first two games in Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
The teams from Montenegro and Lietuva will now determine who claims the top seed for the upcoming round, where the current standings of each team will carry over.
All eyes will be on the clash in the paint, featuring two NBA double-double machines taking center stage.
Montenegro’s Nikola Vucevic and Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas are poised to guide their teams to a flawless 3-0 record in the next phase.
Both drafted into the NBA in 2011, these imposing big men have been facing off for over a decade in both the NBA and FIBA tournaments.
Having engaged in numerous battles, they have shared praises for each other.
Vucevic remarked, “He’s one of the toughest matchups I’ve faced—a very physical guy with an excellent skillset. He’s very smart and tough to play against.”
“He’s a phenomenal player. His basketball IQ is exceptionally high, and he’s outstanding in the low post,” said Valanciunas.
Lithuania holds the advantage on paper, ranked 8th in the world, whereas Montenegro trails by 10 spots at 18th.
However, the Chicago Bulls center has genuinely been a game-changer for Montenegro, averaging 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals in the tournament, with an impressive plus-18.5 when he’s on the court.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ big man, on the other hand, has secured double-doubles in the initial two games, averaging 15.0 points and 11.0 rebounds. Meanwhile, the entire Lithuanian offensive arsenal has been on full display, with multiple players contributing.
Given Valanciunas’ imposing presence, Vucevic emphasized the necessity for a collective effort to contain the Lithuanian big man.
“While the matchup would indeed be crucial, I believe the team matchups would be even better. Against a player like Jonas, it can’t be just me; it has to be a team effort both in the post and on the boards,” stated the Montenegrin star.
Valanciunas, in contrast, emphasized that despite their higher ranking, they must give their all to secure the top spot in the next phase.
In the second round, Lithuania and Montenegro will face off against the top two teams from Group C, which includes USA, Greece, New Zealand, and Jordan.
“It won’t be easy, but we will fight back and fulfill our responsibilities,” Valanciunas shared determinedly.
