2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (9/1)
Basketball fans get another treat as the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup tips off! We’ll have you covered over the two weeks of international basketball action. Group stage games will be held across Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan daily as the tournament progresses to the point of crowning a world champion. Check in daily for our best bets for upcoming contests. Here are the top odds, picks and predictions for today’s 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup action.
2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds & Picks
Serbia vs. Italy
Serbia just scored 115 points to finish out the first three games undefeated. Serbia defeated South Sudan, 115-83, shockingly. Serbia was expected to win, but that margin wasn't expected. Serbia got 25 from Miami Heat's Nikola Jovic and 23 more from Bogdan Bogdanovic. Both were lights out from three. Meanwhile, they'll face an Italy team that finished 2-1 in Group A. Italy escaped the Philippines, 90-83, hitting 41.5% from deep. I don't know if that'll carry over against Serbia. Italy might also start to fatigue. They've got the least amount of depth in the tournament. They're comfortable playing about seven or eight guys, max. Take Serbia.
Pick: Serbia -6 (-112)
Germany vs. Georgia
Germany dominated Finald to finish Group E with a 3-0 record. They'll continue their journey against a Georgia team with two notable NBA players. The thing is, Germany has even more notable players. The Germans shot 57.4% from the field and only turned the ball over 11 times against Finland. Dennis Schroder has led the way with nearly 20 points per game. On the other hand, Georgia still has Goga Bitadze come off the bench. He added 11 points against Venezuela while also adding 11 rebounds. Bitdaze and Shengelia are the team's best scorers, but none of the Georgian team was excellent from the field in their last win. Let's take Germany here.
Pick: Germany -16 (-108)
United States vs. Montenegro
The United States is expected to win the entire thing. It's a team filled with promising young stars in the NBA. They just knocked off Greece, 109-81, and Greece isn't that bad of a team. They'll take on a Montenegro team that has Nikola Vucevic. But the entire team lacks depth on the bench. The team also shot just 33.3% in their loss to Lithuania. They didn't turn the ball over but shot poorly from the field. What would the United States do if Lithuania can beat Montenegro by 20? Take the Americans to dominate.
Pick: USA -25.5 (-112)
Spain vs. Latvia
Spain went 3-0 in Group G. They'll take on an interesting Latvia team in the next round. The Spanish defeated Iran, shooting over 34% from downtown while turning the ball over 11 times. They were super efficient and have been all tournament. Spain is getting production from Santi Aldama and Usman Garuba off the bench. They've also got the Hernengomez brothers doing work. I like the depth and strategy behind their lineup. It's working. On the other hand, Latvia went 2-1 but lost to Canada. Still, a win against France opened some eyes earlier in the tournament. Latvia shot just 27.8% from three and was dominated on the glass by Canada. I'll ride with Spain.
Pick: Spain -10.5 (-112)
Domincan Republic vs. Puerto Rico
The Dominican Republic went 3-0 in Group A. They're led by Karl-Anthony Towns, so it's no surprise that the Dominican Republic is good. The offense is a bit weak from the perimeter, and they also turned the ball over 18 times against Angola. The Dominican Republic lucked out that Angola was missing just as many shots in their last match. On the other hand, Puerto Rico destroyed China, like everyone has, last time out. They shot over 53% from the field and hit 47.1% from downtown. The three-point percentage will likely be the difference. I'll take my chances with Puerto Rico here.
Pick: Puerto Rico +8.5 (-110)
Slovenia vs. Australia
Slovenia dominated Group F and finished the Group Stage 3-0. Slovenia was out-shot by Cape Verde in its last showdown. However, they won the turnover battle, 19-10. That was the difference. Slovenia is getting near triple-doubles out of Luka Doncic every night. But the competition is about to get harder when they face Australia. Australia dominated Japan in its last match, 109-89. They shot over 52% from the field and earned 44 rebounds in the win. There likely won't be many turnovers. But there should be a lot of points, with Australia led by Josh Giddey, Josh Green, and Patty Mills. Even Xavier Cooks got in on the action against Japan, scoring 24 points with 16 rebounds off the bench. Grab that Over!
Pick: Over 177.5 (-110)
Lithuania vs. Greece
Lithuania is a sleeper in this year's FIBA World Cup. They've won three straight games and just shot over 58% from the field against Montenegro. The squad shot over 47% from three in their last game, dominating Nikola Vucevic and Montenegro on the glass. Mindaugas Kuzminskas has averaged nearly 13 points off the bench and has been a true x-factor for Lithuania, as has Jonas Valanciunas. They've got length, rebounding, and a great passer in Rokas Jokubaitis. Meanwhile, they'll face Greece, who lost to the United States. That's an unfair judgment for them. But Thanasis Antetokounmpo hasn't done anything as a starter for Greece. He's scored 4.3 points per game and has played just 18.1 minutes. I'm not loving what Greece has to offer right now. I'll back Lithuania.
Pick: Lithuania -7.5 (-110)
Canada vs. Brazil
Canada's talent continues to rise in the game of basketball. This team has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dwight Powell, Kelly Olynyk, Dillon Brooks, and other notable names. They've destroyed every team so far and have played like the United States, if we're honest. They'll take on a Brazil team that lost to Spain by 20 earlier in the World Cup. They just defeated Ivory Coast, but that's nothing to go crazy about. Brazil shot 43.8% from deep and still only won by 12. Take Canada against the spread. Brazil's bench will get destroyed by Canada's.
Pick: Canada -18.5 (-108)
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