2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (8/27)
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 Sunday’s 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup action.
2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds & Picks
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Italy vs. Dominican Republic
The Italian National Team knocked off Angola, 81-67, in their first matchup in the FIBA World Cup. Simone Fontecchio added 19 points, while Stefano Tonut added 18 to pace the team. Fontecchio is going to be the go-to guy on offense. Meanwhile, the defense held Angola to just 35.4% from the floor in the win. They'll take on the Dominican Republic, coming off a massive 87-81 over the Philippines. Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 points and 10 rebounds but only shot 5-for-16 from the floor. However, that was enough against a Philippines squad with 28 from Jordan Clarkson. The Dominican Republic only shot 37.7% from the floor in that game. Don't be shocked when Italy covers over KAT's Dominican Republic.
Pick: Italy -6.5 (-110)
Australia vs. Germany
Australia got 25 from Patty Mills against Finland. Josh Giddey added 14 points, while Joe Ingles added 13 off the bench. Australia is profound, especially when Patty Mills goes off. The defense held Lauri Markkanen to 19 points, on 7-for-17 from the field. I wouldn't get too excited over the Australian defense, but with Matisse Thybulle on the squad, the defense should be excellent throughout the World Cup. They'll take on a German team that gave us an underwhelming performance against Japan. Germany won by 18, while Mo Wagner added 25 points on 10-for-14 from the field despite not starting. His brother, Franz, also added 10 points but went 0-for-6 from three. Germany has a solid core, but the depth isn't there. I'm taking Australia in this exciting matchup.
Pick: Australia -2.5 (-110)
Montenegro vs. Egypt
Nikola Vucevic helped Montenegro to a 91-71 win over Mexico in the first game of the World Cup. He added 27 points and 10 rebounds but had some help from Kendrick Perry, who added 16 points and seven assists. Montenegro has some talent on the roster and they'll face Egypt, who lost to Lithuania by over 20 points. Egypt has no depth and shot just 37.5% from the floor against Lithuania. They were also out-rebounded by 15 and added only 12 assists. On top of that, Egypt only took 15 threes and made four of them. So, despite taking mostly shots inside the arc, Egypt shot just 37.5%. I'm all over Montenegro in this game.
Pick: Montenegro -17 (-112)
Lebanon vs. Canada
The Lebanon National Team looked horrible against Latvia. They allowed Latvia to score at least 27 points in each quarter and lost 109-70. They watched Latvia shoot over 59% from the field, including 18-35 from downtown. The offense wasn't terrible. However, they turned the ball over 15 times, which didn't help. It won't get any easier against Canada in Game 2. Canada destroyed France 95-65 in their opener. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced Canada with 27 points, while Dillon Brooks added 12, and Kelly Olynyk scored 18 in the win. Canada has many NBA players who just knocked off an outstanding France team by 30. Take Canada. They're about to win by 40 too.
Pick: Canada -39 (-115)
Philippines vs. Angola
Although the Philippines lost to the Dominican Republic, I still think they've got something with Jordan Clarkson leading the way. Clarkson scored 28 points on 37.5% from the floor. He'll certainly be most of the offense for this team. However, he got some help from other players, including 13 from Dwight Ramos and 17 from June Mar Fajardo off the bench. They'll face Angola, who probably can't keep up offensively. Angola only added 67 points against Italy and scored just 10 points in the fourth quarter of that game. Childe Dundao is a solid three-point shooter for Angola, but no other player made a three and they went 4-for-30 from deep as a team against Italy. I'll back the Philippines here.
Pick: Philippines -8.5 (-108)
Japan vs. Finland
It took Japan until the second half to figure out things on defense in the first game against Germany. Japan allowed 53 points in the first half but held Germany to 28 in the second half. If the defense continues to improve, Japan will be a hard out. Yuta Watanabe added 20 points and six rebounds, and Yudai Baba also added 15 on 7-for-10 from the field. The offense should improve over time. They'll take on a Finland team that allowed 25 or more points in the last three quarters to Australia in Game 1. Finland has Lauri Markkanen and Sasu Salin but no other player scored in double figures. I'll back Japan here.
Pick: Japan +10.5 (-108)
Lithuania vs. Mexico
Lithuania was impressive against Egypt in their first matchup. They scored at least 20 points every quarter and held Egypt to just 67 points in the entire game. Lithuania won 93-67 after Egypt shot 37.5% from the field. Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Margiris Normantas added 18 off the bench. Lithuania has a lot of reliable scores and they'll face off against a Mexican team that lost by 20 to Montenegro. Mexico fatigued towards the end of the game, scoring just 13 points in the entire fourth quarter. They also allowed Montenegro to shoot over 50% from the floor. I'll side with Lithuania here.
Pick: Lithuania -14.5 (-110)
France vs. Latvia
France needs to look themselves in the mirror. They lost 30 points to Canada after shooting 41.7% from the floor. Evan Fournier added 21 points but Rudy Gobert scored just eight points, while Nic Batum was held scoreless against Canada. They shot just 21.4% from downtown and were out-rebounded by 10. France will play Lavia, who just defeated Lebanon by 39 points. Latvia had seven players in double figures, including 20 points from Dairis Bertans. Arturs Zagaers even added 11 assists. Latvia has enough in the tank to cover.
Pick: Latvia +12 (-110)
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