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Japan and Belgium will clash in a crucial 2024 Paris Olympics Women's Basketball Group C game on Sunday. From Group C, Team USA and Germany have already qualified for the quarterfinals.
The winner of the game between Japan and Belgium will finish third in Group C standings and would have a chance at securing a knockout berth depending on the points difference. The loser will be eliminated.
The No.9 ranked Japan and the No.6 ranked Belgium are winless in the tournament.
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Japan vs Belgium: Preview and Prediction
The 2024 Paris Olympics Women's Basketball game between Japan and Belgium is scheduled for Aug. 4, Sunday, at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France. The tip-off is slated for 5 a.m. ET (2 a.m. PT). The game will not be broadcast live on TV but fans can livestream the game on Peacock and Fubo.
Japan vs Belgium: Preview
Japan began their campaign with a confidence-shattering 102-76 loss against Team USA. In their next game, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist suffered a 75-64 defeat against Germany. Japan has a points difference of -37.
The Asian team has been one of the better offensive teams in the competition. Japan averages 70 points per game and is ranked in the middle of the pack. Rebounding has been a big issue for Japan. Toru Onzuka's team averages only 30.5 rebounds per game and is the second-worst-ranked team in this category. The team has not registered even a single block shot after playing two games.
Maki Takada leads the team in points and averages 19.5 points per game on 64.0% shooting from the field, including 55.6% from the 3-point range. Veteran point guard Rui Machida leads the team in assists as the 31-year-old averages seven dimes per game.
On the contrary, Belgium began their campaign with a 69-83 loss against Germany and then went down fighting against Team USA (74-87). Belgium has a points difference of -27.
Belgium is the worst-ranked team in the competition in terms of rebounding. The European nation averages a poor 27 rebounds per game after playing two games. Rachid Meziane's group has been decent on the offensive end and averages 71.5 points per game. Belgium has struggled immensely from the 3-point range and is shooting an abysmal 22.2% from beyond the arc.
Emma Meesseman has been terrific on the offensive end and is averaging 24.5 points on 61.8% shooting from the field. Julie Vanloo leads the team in assists with 5.5 dimes per game.
Japan vs Belgium: Head-To-Head Record
In terms of the overall head-to-head record, Japan and Belgium have crossed swords against each other three times. The Asian country has won two games compared to the European nation's one victory.
The two teams met in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics quarterfinal and Japan registered a nerve-jangling 86-85 win.
Japan vs Belgium: Predicted Starting 5s
Japan: Maki Takada, Rui Machida, Saki Hayashi, Saori Miyazaki and Himawari Akaho.
Belgium: Elise Ramette, Antonia Delaere, Emma Meesseman, Julie Vanloo and Kyara Linskens.
Japan vs Belgium: Prediction
Japan and Belgium have played decent basketball but haven't been able to register wins. Being in the same group as Team USA and Germany hasn't helped the two teams' cause either.
Japan and Belgium will throw the kitchen sink at each other in an attempt to win their first game of the tournament. Expect Belgium to register a hard-fought win over the Asian country.
