2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (8/29)
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
Germany vs. Finland
The Germans outlasted Australia in their second matchup of the FIBA World Cup. Germany put together a solid fourth-quarter push to win the game, 85-82, despite Australia shooting 54.2% from the field. Dennis Schroder added 30 points and eight assists. Meanwhile, Franz Wagner didn't play due to an ankle injury. The offense didn't get much support from anyone other than Maodo Lo, who added 20 points off the bench on 8-for-12 from the field. At 2-0, they'll face Finland, who just lost to Japan, 98-88. Finland is 0-2 in the FIBA World Cup. The team has little depth, and only Lauri Markkanen has done most of the scoring. They let Japan shoot 51.7% from the field and over 39% from downtown. Back Germany in this one.
Pick: Germany -9 (-112)
Angola vs. Dominican Republic
The Angolan National Team earned a significant win over the Philippines on Sunday. Angola shot 37.5% from the field but held the Philippines to 18.2% from deep to earn a massive upset. They had five players in double figures, including Gerson Goncalves, who added 17 points on 5-for-12 from the field. He's scored 12 points per game in 30 minutes of action per night. Meanwhile, Angola will stay tested against the Dominican Republic. Karl-Anthony Towns led the DR to an 87-82 win over Italy. The Dominican Republic didn't start or finish the game well. But they still found a way behind Towns' 24 points and 11 rebounds. The Dominican Republic has impressed so far. Back them in this one.
Pick: Dominican Republic -12 (-108)
Egypt vs. Mexico
Egypt is now 0-2 in the FIBA World Cup after an 89-74 loss to Montenegro. They watched Montenegro shoot 50% from the floor while they turned the ball over 23 times. That's never a good recipe for success. Egypt got 26 from Ehab Amin, but contributions were limited after that. Meanwhile, Egypt will face a Mexico team that has looked just as bad against Egypt. Mexico lost to Lithuania, 96-66. They allowed Lithuania to shoot nearly 58% from the floor. They were also destroyed on the glass. Nobody has really stood out on Mexico so far in the World Cup. Give me Egypt to salvage the World Cup experience and earn a win.
Pick: Egypt +7.5 (-112)
Lebanon vs. France
France was eliminated from the FIBA World Cup after a loss to Latvia. After its loss to Canada, France looked defeated. And they were. They lost to Latvia after a horrific showing in the fourth quarter. Even Nic Batum said he was embarrassed. So therefore, you can expect this France team to come out extraordinarily ready and prepared against Lebanon. France still shot 52% from the field and hit nearly 52% from three in that last game. The defense wasn't on par, but it won't need to be against Lebanon. Lebanon just lost to Canada,128-73. France better dominate.
Pick: France -34.5 (-110)
Australia vs. Japan
The Australian National Team blew a fourth-quarter lead to a German team playing without Franz Wagner. Australia shot 54.2% from the field and hit 47.4% from downtown. But it still wasn't enough. If you look at the box score, Australia looked like the better team. But sometimes the better team doesn't always win. Patty Mills has added 23 points per game. Josh Giddey has also contributed with 15.5 points per game. The bench is filled with reliable scorers, and the defense should still perform well against lesser opponents than Germany. I'm not saying Japan is a lesser opponent, but they're not as good as Germany. Japan escaped Finland by ten points after winning the fourth quarter, 35-15. It took a massive comeback for Japan to defeat Finland. That won't work against Australia. Back in Australia to cover against Japan here.
Pick: Australia -18 (-112)
Philippines vs. Italy
I was high on the Philippines to begin the Tournament. But that's changed after watching the first two games. The Philippines shot 18.2% from downtown against Angola and were out-rebounded by four. They also turned the ball over four more times. Jordan Clarkson was the only player in double figures for this team. No player shot more than nine attempts for the Philippines. It's a team sport, but this team didn't play like it. Meanwhile, Italy lost to the Dominican Republic in their last matchup. They're now 1-1. But like the Philippines, they shot horribly from downtown. The difference was that Italy limited turnovers to seven and rebounded well enough, especially against a Karl-Anthony Towns-led team. Simone Fontecchio has yet to find his rhythm with Italy. He's scored 16 points but has shot just 41.4% from the field. But I think he gets going against the Philippines. Take Italy here.
Pick: Italy -14 (-110)
Montenegro vs. Lithuania
Montenegro is 2-0 in the FIBA World Cup. They just knocked off Egypt, 89-74, after shooting 50% from the floor. Montenegro also forced 23 turnovers and won the glass battle against Egypt. Nikola Vucevic added 16 points and seven rebounds. He got some easy buckets in that game. This team had five players in double figures, with two coming off the bench. I like Montenegro's bench and depth. They'll have a Lithuanian team that just destroyed Mexico. It's not saying a lot, but they held Mexico to no more than 17 points in any quarter. Lithuania shot 57.6% from the field and earned 47 rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and 12 rebounds and should be able to keep Nikola Vucevic in check. I've got Lithuania in this game. It'll be an enjoyable one.
Pick: Lithuania -5.5 (-112)
Canada vs. Latvia
Canada has dominated in the FIBA World Cup. They've earned back-to-back 30-point wins against France and Lebanon. Canada shot 71.4% from the field and hit 60% from three. They also held Lebanon to just 18 rebounds and forced 22 turnovers. Canada is filled with NBA talent, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has averaged 19.5 points per game. They'll take on a Latvia team that upset France 88-86. Latvia trailed throughout the game. But they made a stunning comeback in the fourth quarter and pulled off a massive upset. Latvia shot 52.5% from the field and hit 40% from downtown. But Latvia also allowed France to shoot 52% from the field and 51.9% from three. We'll likely see fireworks in this game. Take the Over.
Pick: Over 178.5 (-110)
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