Argentina's Luis Scola (L) (Photo : Reuters)
Argentina will try to cap their successful 2015 FIBA Americas Championship preliminary round stint with a victory over tough team Venezuela in the final day of first-round matches at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on September 4.
The Argentinians have a 2-0 win-loss card so far after NBA veteran Luis Scola led them to victories over other tournament favorites Puerto Rico and Canada.
Scola had 22 points and 14 rebounds in the team's inspiring 91-86 win over Rick Pitino's Puerto Rico squad. He followed it up with an equally superb game against the NBA youngsters of Canada with 35 points and 13 boards en route to a 94-87 triumph, as per the tourney's official website.
Argentina's wins were not blowouts, which may actually help Sergio Hernandez's squad as the tournament gets deeper.
Meanwhile, Venezuela pulled off a 74-63 upset against Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Nestor Garcia implemented a small, run-and-gun lineup against Pitino, who started playing a big lineup after using a three-guard starting unit in their opening game loss to Argentina.
The small ball move proved effective for Garcia as four of his five starters, led by team captain Jose Vargas with 12 points and 4 rebounds, scored in double figures, via FIBA Live Stats.
Against Scola and his gang, though, Venezuela is expected to have a much more difficult time. The game will be close for the first three quarters, but Argentina will pull away in the payoff period as their opponents finally succumb to the pressure.
Prediction: Argentina wins, 98-78
Venezuela starting five: Windi Graterol (C), Nestor Colmenares (PF), John Cox (SF), Jose Vargas (SG), Gregory Vargas (PG)
Canada starting five: Kelly Olynyk (C), Anthony Bennett (PF), Andrew Wiggins (SF), Nik Stauskas (SG), Cory Joseph (PG)
