France vs. Serbia: TV Info, Live Stream and Preview for FIBA World Cup 2014
All eyes will be on France after its stunning upset of host Spain in the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup. France handed Spain a 65-52 defeat behind 15 points from Boris Diaw and stifling defense that held the Spaniards to just 32 percent shooting from the field.
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France will face Serbia for the right to meet Team USA in Sunday's gold medal game.
Serbia used 23 points from Milos Teodosic to throttle Brazil 84-56. Can it catch France sleeping after its major upset over one of the tournament's favorites?
Here's how you can watch.
When: 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN 2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to the Game
Free Throws
Neither of the teams is especially strong from the charity stripe. Through seven games in Spain, both teams are only converting 68 percent of free-throw attempts.
Because of France's defensive style, this one figures to feature a lot of fouls and opportunities from the line. Both teams did uncharacteristically well from the stripe in their quarterfinal matchups.
France knocked in 75 percent of its attempts, while Serbia was especially sharp, making 81 percent against Brazil. Because this game has all the makings of a contest that will come down to the wire, the team that makes the most of its chances on the line has a great chance to come out on top.
Inside/Outside Game
Both squads depend on long-distance shooting a great deal for their offense. Both have made 38 percent of their attempts from downtown, and this stat figures to be a major focus of the semifinal matchup.
While three-point shooting will be important, one squad appears to be a little better equipped to score from the post.
Serbia has the size and players to succeed on the inside with the likes of Teodosic and Nemanja Bjelica. It outscored a Brazilian squad with Nene, Tiago Splitter and Anderson Varejao in the paint 42-30. Still, its three-point shooting helps to balance out the attack.
France must shoot well from deep if it is to have a chance to win. It is more athletic than Serbia, but it doesn't possess the bulk or scoring prowess on the inside to get buckets consistently against the Serbians.
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