2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (9/3)
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
Georgia vs. Australia
Georgia is now 2-2 in the FIBA World Cup after a loss to Germany, 100-73. They still shot 52.8% from the field but turned the ball over 18 times and shot under 27% from deep. Goga Bitadze finally started and added 15 points. But the bench could have been stronger in that game against Germany. On the other hand, Australia lost to Slovenia, 91-80, in their last matchup. Australia started slow and finished slow in that game. Josh Giddey is still the main guy offensively. This team also has plenty of NBA talent and some great defensive players. I'll ride with Australia in this game.
Pick: Australia -13.5 (-110)
Puerto Rico vs. Italy
Puerto Rico was the first team to knock off the Dominican Republic. They shot nearly 56% from the floor but didn't earn many turnovers. Tremont Waters scored 37 points and shot 11-for-22 from the floor while assisting on 11 baskets. Waters hauled in seven rebounds and also had a triple-double. They'll take on an Italy team that escaped Serbia 78-76 last time out. Italy shot 52.4% from deep but forced only seven turnovers and watched Serbia shoot 51.9% from the field. It's doubtful that Italy will continue that hot shooting against Puerto Rico.
Pick: Puerto Rico +8 (-108)
Montenegro vs. Greece
Montenegro gave the US a little scare in their last game. They only lost 85-73 and led after the first half. Nikola Vucevic added 18 points, and Kendrick Perry scored 14 in the loss. Those two were the only players to take over ten shots for Montenegro against the US. Meanwhile, Greece lost 92-67 to Lithuania in their last game. Lithuania shot 62.3% from the field and 62.5% from three, while Greece shot 35.9% from the field. Greece got four or fewer points from four of their five starters in the last game. I'm on Montenegro here.
Pick: Montenegro -2.5 (-110)
Latvia vs. Brazil
Latvia earned a massive win against Spain after shooting nearly 53% from the floor in a 74-69 win. Latvia scored 27 points to Spain's 11 in the final quarter, earning another come-from-behind win, just like against France. They'll face a Brazil team that just shocked Canada. Brazil shot over 55% from the floor, while Canada hit only 39.4% from the field. Even though Brazil hit 18.5% from three, they escaped Canada with a big fourth-quarter comeback. Bruno Caboclo had 19 points and 13 rebounds and was the player of that game. This game should be tight and exciting. But Latvia has more offensive firepower.
Pick: Latvia +2.5 (-110)
Slovenia vs. Germany
Luka Doncic and Slovenia are 4-0 in the FIBA World Cup. Doncic scored 19 points and added seven rebounds and six assists. Mike Tobey added 18 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Those are the two players to watch out for on Slovenia. Meanwhile, Germany has more NBA talent. They're also 4-0 and shot over 57% from three against Georgia in their last game. Dennis Schroder leads the team with 18.8 points per game. He's running the show, and it's paying off. Moe Wagner is also a great piece off the bench. Let's take the Over. Both teams have plenty of offense.
Pick: Over 175.5 (-110)
Serbia vs. Dominican Republic
In their last game, Serbia lost a heartbreaker to Italy, 78-76. Nikola Jovic only scored five points on six shots and 24 minutes. Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 points but went 1-for-13 from three. Those two guys have to shoot better for Serbia to have a chance at winning more games in the World Cup. On the other hand, the Dominican Republic team won't have trouble scoring. They've got Karl-Anthony Towns, who just added 39 points and ten rebounds against Puerto Rico. However, Towns and the Dominican Republic lost to Puerto Rico 102-97 last time. Still, Towns has been one of the best players in the FIBA World Cup and should take over in this game. Give me the DR.
Pick: Dominican Republic +8.5 (-110)
Lithuania vs. USA
Lithuania has been the most surprising team in the FIBA World Cup. The team has talent, including Jonas Valanciunas and Ignas Brazdeikis. But they're currently 4-0 and just defeated Greece 92-67. They just shot 62.3% from the field and 62.5% from three against Greece. On the other hand, the USA didn't look its best against Montenegro. They added an 85-73 win, but it took a solid second half to push Montenegro away. The US shot 26.3% from three in that game. That's not ideal. I don't want to do it, but I'll take Lithuania to cover. (In my heart, I'm still rooting for the US!)
Pick: Lithuania +16.5 (-108)
Canada vs. Spain
Canada was looking like a powerhouse until their game against Brazil. Canada lost 69-65 after scoring just 15 or fewer points in three of four quarters. That was unlike Canada. No one showed up for that game other than Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Canada also tightened up the rotation. I thought Canada's depth was one of the reasons why they were so good. On the other hand, Spain lost to Latvia and scored just 69 points in the loss. Both teams had weird and uncharacteristic losses. But after Spain's epic disaster of a fourth quarter, I'll ride with Canada here.
Pick: Canada -6.5 (-110)
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