FIBA World Cup 2014: Viewing Info and Preview for United States vs. Serbia Final
After a five-game group stage and three single-elimination contests, only the United States and Serbia remain standing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Serbia held just a 2-3 record during group play but surged during the elimination rounds, winning three consecutive games while showing resilience in close contests.
The United States can be summed up by one fact: The undefeated Americans haven't won by less than 21 points so far in the tournament.
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While these teams are built in an entirely different manner, anything can happen during any single 40-minute contest. Serbia has already proved to be a team that can recover nicely, defeating France and Brazil in elimination games after losing to both teams during group play. The Americans must be wary of their upcoming opponents.
The tournament has provided plenty of close contests, down-to-the-wire finishes and upset victories. Will another be in store in the final, or will the United States' dominance be on display once more? Before these teams take the hardwood, here's a look at the game's complete viewing information, preview and prediction.
Viewing Info
What: 2014 FIBA World Cup Final
When: Sunday, September 14
Where: Madrid, Spain
When: 3 p.m. ET
TV Info: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Preview and Prediction
The United States will be looking to make history on Sunday as it attempts to defend the title it won in Turkey four years ago and become just the third team to win consecutive tournaments. Standing in its way is Serbia—the most recent team to win the tournament in back-to-back occasions.
Serbian point guard Milos Teodosic has been the team's catalyst throughout the tournament. He's currently averaging a team-high 14 points per game while adding 2.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor.
FIBA tweeted the guard's impressive numbers from Serbia's semifinal contest against France:
While Serbia isn't exactly as deep as its upcoming opponent, it does have several other key players.
Seven-foot center Miroslav Raduljica has controlled the interior with an average of 13.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica have stepped up in a big way as well, averaging 11.6 and 11.1 points per game, respectively.
While Serbia does have plenty of talent, it does lack size and aggression in the paint, which could be the team's undoing against the Americans. Take a look at a side-by-side comparison of several telling statistics:
| United States | 56.4 | 44.9 | 5.4 | 54.2 |
| Serbia | 54.9 | 32.1 | 1.6 | 38.8 |
So why have the Americans been so dominant in those categories?
The tournament has been a coming-out party for Kenneth Faried. The power forward is averaging a team-high 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 67.6 percent from the floor for an average of 12.5 points. Here's a great look at one of his many highlight-reel plays down low:
Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins have also been stellar for the United States in the paint on both ends of the floor, averaging 6.9 and 5.1 rebounds per game, respectively.
Here's something else Davis does very well, via USA Basketball:
Collecting boards hasn't been the only reason for Team USA's success. Heading into the final against Serbia, the team is shooting 51.6 percent from the floor with six players averaging double-digit points per game. Now that's depth.
Expect the United States to continue to display its prowess in the paint on Sunday, increasing its lead early and forcing Serbia into an abundance of attempts from downtown in an effort to keep up. The outcome will be another rout for the Americans.
Prediction: United States 103, Serbia 78
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