2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (8/28)
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
China vs. South Sudan
The Chinese National Team lost to Serbia, 105-63, in their first matchup of the year. China scored no more than 20 points in a quarter and allowed Serbia to score at least 22 points every quarter. Rui Zhao added 17 points in 7-for-13 from the field. But this team has no depth beyond him. On the other hand, South Sudan lost to Puerto Rico in overtime, 101-96. The offense ran out of fuel in the second half of that game. However, Carlik Jones and Wenyen Gabriel were tremendous for this team. Jones went 12-for-22 with 35 points, and Gabriel added 13 points and seven rebounds. South Sudan has a much better team heading into this game.
Pick: South Sudan -8.5 (-112)
Venezuela vs. Cape Verde
Venezuela fell to Slovenia, 100-85 on Saturday. The team added 33 points in the first quarter but added up to 22 points in any other quarter. They were challenged defensively, facing Luka Doncic. However, Venezuela still has a lot of talent, especially offensively, that can contribute to this game against Cape Verde. They had five double-figure players, with three coming off the bench. Meanwhile, Cape Verde lost to Georgia, 85-60, in their 2023 FIBA World Cup debut. They shot under 30% from the floor and were dominated on the glass. Take Venezuela to cover.
Pick: Venezuela -7 (-108)
New Zealand vs. Jordan
New Zealand hung around against the United States to begin the game. However, they lost to the US, 99-72 to start the World Cup. New Zealand doesn't have much depth off the bench, which was ultimately one of the reasons New Zealand fell apart towards the end of that game. Meanwhile, Jordan lost to Greece, 92-71 to begin their season. They've got no depth either. However, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 24 points and nine rebounds while shooting 7-for-11 from the field for Jordan. He'll be the best player on the court in this game. I'll side with Jordan here.
Pick: Jordan +7.5 (-112)
Cote D'Ivoire vs. Iran
It wasn't the start Ivory Coast hoped for to begin the FIBA World Cup. They lost to Spain, 94-64, and never scored more than 17 points in any quarter. They shot under 40% from the floor, but they were able to force 19 turnovers against Spain. Still, they were wrecked on the glass against Spain. They'll likely earn more turnovers and do better on the glass against Iran. Iran lost 100-59 to Brazil to begin the tournament. Brazil shot nearly 55% against Iran and shot 41.2% from three. Neither team is too appealing, but Ivory Coast has more.
Pick: Ivory Coast -8.5 (-108)
Georgia vs. Slovenia
Georgia added a convincing win against Cape Verde to begin the World Cup. They held Cape Verde to 29.6% from the field but turned the ball over 22 times. Although Goga Bitadze came off the bench, he added 15 points and 11 rebounds. He'll be the go-to guy for this offense. However, he'll have to go toe-to-toe with Luka Doncic of Slovenia. Slovenia added 100 points in a win against Venezuela. Doncic added 37, and Mike Tobey contributed with 21. Even Klemen Prepelic added 18 points in just 21 minutes off the bench. I don't think Georgia is horrendous, but Slovenia has much more talent.
Pick: Slovenia -6.5 (-112)
Puerto Rico vs. Serbia
In the first matchup, Puerto Rico defeated a South Sudan team that shot nearly 51% from the field. That's not too appealing. However, Puerto Rico added 101 points through overtime while shooting nearly 43% from the field. Scottie Thompson scored 21, and Tremont Waters also scored 19. The starting lineup can score at a high level. Thompson and Waters are terrific from three. They'll take on a Serbia team that scored 105 points against China on 57.6% from the field. They earned 24 turnovers against China and shot over 46% from three. I think we'll get plenty of offense in this game. Take the Over.
Pick: Over 172.5 (-112)
Greece vs. United States
Greece opened their FIBA World Cup journey with a 92-71 win over Jordan. They shot 51.5% from the field and added ten more rebounds while limiting turnovers to 12. The bench outplayed the starting lineup. Therefore, it'll be interesting to see if Greece makes any adjustments. The bench added 49 points, while the starters only had one player in double-figures. They'll be tested against the United States. The US added 99 points against New Zealand and shot nearly 60% from the field. The US didn't get trigger-happy from downtown. They got easier looks and pulled away from New Zealand instead. If Greece throws out the same starting five, you can forget it. Take the US.
Pick: USA -23.5 (-110)
Brazil vs. Spain
Brazil earned a 100-59 win over Iran. They shot nearly 55% from the field and added 13 more rebounds. But it's not going to be that easy against Spain. Brazil won't shoot over 41% from three against Spain. In their win, the Spanish held the Ivory Coast to 39.7% from the field and added 22 more rebounds. Willy and Juancho Hernangomez combined for 33 points on 13-for-22 from the field. Meanwhile, the bench added plenty of production. As a team, Spain had 29 assists. You like to see that. Back Spain in this one.
Pick: Spain -8.5 (-110)
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