After a disappointing loss to Australia, Lauri Markkanen and Finland will look to get their first World Cup win against Yuta Watanabe and Japan. Japan also comes into this game winless after losing their first game to Germany. Lauri Markkanen was brilliant against Australia but needed more support that didn’t come. It will likely come down to Markkanen once again to take Finland over the top. With what Markkanen has developed into the last two years, there’s no reason to expect he shouldn’t have a big game.
Win or lose, the development in these games for Markkanen is invaluable.