FIBA World Cup 2014: Predictions for Every Quarterfinal Contest

After a trying group stage and a highly contested round of 16, only eight teams remain in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Single-elimination games are highly unpredictable, and teams are not afforded redemption from sluggish performances. On the other hand, one stellar showing is rewarded with a trip to the semifinals.

Before we know it, only four teams will remain in the tournament, and only one will earn the title of the world's best. While we anxiously await the ensuing contests, predicting the outcome of each is in order. Will we see an enormous upset? Will the favorites prevail? These questions will be answered shortly.

Here's a look at each of the four impending games, followed by a predicted final score for each.

Lithuania vs. Turkey

This contest happens to be between two very similar teams. Both Turkey and Lithuania have good size and the ability to dominate on the interior on both sides of the court. We can certainly expect a slugfest among big men when these teams take the hardwood on Tuesday.

Turkey made a name for itself during the group stage when it held the lead at halftime against the United States. Center Omer Asik has been the team's difference-maker so far in Spain. The 7'0" NBA veteran is averaging 9.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, opening things up for Emir Preldzic and Co. on the perimeter.

Here's a look at Turkey's close call in the round of 16:

Lithuania is build mostly in the same fashion; however, it has superior depth up front. Center Jonas Valanciunas and power forward Donatas Motiejunas are both NBA veterans and stand at 6'11" and 7'0", respectively. With both players capable of big production on the inside, they may prove to be too much for Turkey to handle.

Prediction: Lithuania 72, Turkey 66

Slovenia vs. United States

The Americans have simply looked unstoppable so far in the tournament. Other than the team's sluggish start against Turkey early in group play, there hasn't been a team capable of keeping up with some of the world's best players.

This forthcoming matchup is actually a rematch of the teams' final exhibition game before the tournament. That contest resulted in the United States trouncing Slovenia by a score of 101-71 due to the efforts of players such as Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried.

Here's a look at Team USA preparing for their upcoming contest, via NBA:

Goran and Zoran Dragic have been incredibly impressive for the Slovenian team to this point; however, the sheer depth of the American team will just be too much for the brothers to handle. Expect the United States to use its superior size to win the battle in the boards and take the victory.

Prediction: United States 94, Slovenia 74

Serbia vs. Brazil

Both of these teams are coming off very impressive wins. Serbia routed Greece by a score of 90-72, and Brazil easily handled Argentina, winning 85-65. This has all the makings of a shootout.

Aside from 7'0" center Miroslav Raduljica, Serbia doesn't have an abundance of size. However, what the team lacks in an interior presence, it makes up for with athleticism on the outside. So far in the tournament, the team has connected on 42 of 108 three-point attempts. If Serbia gets hot from downtown, it can be very dangerous.

This tweet from FIBA sums up Serbia's most recent performance:

As for Brazil, Anderson Varejao has been the glue that holds the team together. The NBA veteran is averaging 8.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Leandrinho Barbosa, Marquinhos Vieira and Tiago Splitter have been lighting up scoreboards.

Both of these teams can shoot, but Brazil's 52.0 percent shooting from the floor will be just enough to get it through to the semifinals.

Prediction: Brazil 89, Serbia 85

France vs. Spain

If any team in the tournament has been remotely as dominant as the United States to this point, it's Spain. The host country's team has been dismantling every opponent it's faced, which is terrible news for France.

Spain's Big Three of Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka have been nearly unstoppable to this point. Pau has been the team's leading scorer, averaging 20.5 points per game, while Marc has been solid in the paint with an average of 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game. Ibaka has done well for himself down low as well, averaging 6.2 boards and 1.4 blocks.

Ethan Strauss of ESPN.com tweeted his impression of Pau in the World Cup:

Not only is Spain's 88.2 points per game good enough for second in the tournament, but it is putting up gaudy numbers in a very efficient manner, shooting 50.9 percent from the floor. Expect France to put up a good effort—Joffrey Lauvergne has been incredibly fun to watch—but it will take more than a one-man show to defeat the world's No. 2 team.

Prediction: Spain 92, France 78