5 Dec 2023
JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - With the best teams on the planet at the FIBA 3x3 Jeddah Final, it's little surprise the draw is going to be fierce and highlighted by blockbuster games.
Let's look at five of the best.
Miami (USA) v Partizan Mozzart (SRB)
These teams have been two of the best late in the season. They won 3 of the last 8 Masters stops of the season to underline their form.
It's little surprise they've been on a collision course deep into events, but the Americans will have the mental edge having won the semi-final in Amsterdam and the final in Abu Dhabi.
Miami won both games fairly comfortably mainly due to Jimmer Fredette outplaying opposing sniper Stefan Milivojevic having scored 18 points to 8 combined across the two games.
Vienna (AUT) v Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL)
Pool D looks like it will be shaped by the blockbuster between these two teams, who always deliver.
The Austrians beat Antwerp in their first game of the season at the Utsunomiya Opener, but so much has happened since then. Both teams have won titles with Antwerp starting the season faster, but Vienna finished stronger.
There will be key match-ups with none bigger than Dennis Donkor aiming to showcase his defensive prowess and limit walking bucket Quincy Diggs.
But Donkor can get off his shot any time he wants and forms a potent duo with Jonas Foerts. It means Diggs will need trusty sidekicks Nico Kaltenbrunner and Matthias Linortner to help ease his burden.
Amsterdam HiPRO (NED) v Lausanne Sport LS (SUI)
There might not be another game on Day One that is more entertaining than this clash between teams who love to razzle and dazzle.
Amsterdam, as you know, have superstar Worthy de Jong who this season has produced a scoring binge for the ages but he's not the only dude who can light up the half-court.
The Swiss maestros have speedy Gilles Martin, who is a human highlight reel and will no doubt be working on his greatest magic trick as we speak.
Amsterdam will take confidence in the match-up having beaten Lausanne Sport LS (SUI) en route to winning the Hong Kong Masters. De Jong was again the difference with a game-high 9 points and Lausanne will need to do what no one has been able to and stop this walking bucket.
Ub Huishan NE (SRB) v Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
Just a few months ago, Ub would have been hot favorite because they were literally unbeatable having won the first six Masters of the season. But they've gone cold since and in that time the lethal Lithuanians won in Debrecen.
It's been tight between them with the teams splitting games in Hong Kong and Wuxi. Raudondvaris should feel good having won the recent semi in Hong Kong, where dynamic duo Marijus Uzupis and Aurelijus Pukelis combined for 16 points to overcome top-ranked Strahinja Stojacic's 11 points in a lone hand for Ub.
San Juan (PUR) v Paris (FRA)
For the first time in the World Tour Final's history, there is a play-in to add some spice. Perhaps the most intriguing game will be between San Juan and Paris, who have both been revelations in 2023.
The Puerto Ricans, talented dudes aged in their mid-20s, have brought an energetic style to the World Tour and made the final in Edmonton.
Paris for some time failed to live up to the hype on the big stage before things clicked into gear and they enjoyed a historic triumph in Wuxi.
We just can't wait for the battle between snipers Franck Seguela and Antonio Ralat. Who you got?
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