Latvia vs Slovenia EuroBasket Prep Games Preview: Where to Watch Porz and Luka's Riga Reunion
- → Game to take place at Xiaomi Arēna, Riga on Saturday, August 16 at 18:00 EEST (16:00 BST)
- → Porziņģis vs Dončić headlines a true showcase - former NBA teammates turned national-team pillars, with mutual respect renewed this week
- → Form line: Latvia come off an OT thriller vs Lithuania; Slovenia seek their first prep win after back-to-back losses to Germany
A Superstar Reunion in Riga
Riga gets the glamour tie of the week and the subplot writes itself: Kristaps Porziņģis vs Luka Dončić, five years removed from their Dallas partnership and now on opposite sides of a national-team classic. Porziņģis spoke warmly about their relationship earlier in the week.
Asked about Luka, Porziņģis kept it light—“too tall to go sightseeing” together—then underlined there’s mutual respect, regular contact, and likely a catch-up off the court. He welcomed Slovenia to Riga and shifted focus to competing, noting Latvia’s step forward since the Italy opener and the need to keep building ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2025. Latvia’s home crowd will make this feel bigger than a tune-up, and both stars have the usage to tilt the night.
Latvia: Edge, Shooting, and KP’s Gravity
Latvia’s 109–105 overtime loss to Lithuania was the kind of high-level rehearsal that reveals both strengths and homework. Rihards Lomažs caught fire (27 points, 8 assists), Porziņģis added 22 with rim protection, and the Bertāns brothers supplied timely spacing. The emphasis tonight: cleaner late-clock possessions, finish defensive stands on the glass, and keep the five-out spacing humming so Porziņģis’ pick-and-pop threat stretches Slovenia into uncomfortable help decisions.
Slovenia: Luka Warming Into It
Slovenia arrive 0–2 in prep after falling to Germany twice (103–89 in Ljubljana, 80–70 in the rematch). Dončić has been ramping minutes and touches, dropping 19 in the first meeting while flashing the playmaking that unlocks their shooters. Expect early clock actions - high screens to get him downhill, corner runners to punish tags, and a steady diet of mismatch hunting. For Slovenia, the checklists are rebounding discipline and limiting Latvia’s second-side threes.
How to Watch Latvia vs Slovenia - EuroBasket Prep Games
Watch Latvia vs Slovenia live and on-demand via Courtside 1891. (Add your competition link in the CMS.) Unlock with a Max Day Pass or Max Annual Pass. Availability varies by territory.
