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Message: [QUOTE="southofnorth, post: 4026201, member: 9132"] I’ll go with USA by 11-15. The USA is playing much better than they did when these two teams last met so I have no doubt the USA can pull this one out. One important thing, though, will be help defense. Japan is extremely quick and they can shoot so you have to guard them close on the 3pt line, which means inevitably Japan will drive. Help defense in the lane and good rotation on the perimeter will be the key to preventing Japan getting comfortable in their offense. The good news is the USA has some good, mobile bigs and whoever is out in the floor can pretty much switch on any screens since the tallest players for Japan are only 6’1. As for the offense, lob it up to Griner, get Stewie the ball anywhere in the court, and let A’ja overpower her defender(s) and there’s a good chunk of the USA’s points. If the guards can hit a few threes to prevent Japan from swarming the interior then the USA could win by 20+. [/QUOTE]