Overview

• Finland edged Sweden 93-90 in Tampere to start Group B with a win.
• Lauri Markkanen posted 28 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals on 7-of-15 shooting, with Edon Maxhuni and Sasu Salin contributing timely threes.
• Sweden shot 62.1% from the field, but Finland buried 12-of-26 threes after halftime to close it out.
• Match analysis flagged Finland’s heavy dependence on Markkanen and shaky defense, noting the team looks ordinary when he sits and projecting a 3-2 or 2-3 group record.
• Markkanen entered in top form after 48 and 42-point exhibitions; Finland faces Great Britain on Friday, with NBA trade chatter around the Jazz star described as speculative.