2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (8/30)
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
South Sudan vs. Serbia
South Sudan won its first FIBA World Cup matchup against China on Monday. They held China to just 69 points and shot 50% from downtown. Carlik Jones continued his dominance with 21 points and six assists. Meanwhile, South Sudan had five players in double-figures. They'll take on a Serbia team that is currently 2-0. Serbia shot 52.2% from the field and held Puerto Rico to 27 points in the first half. Nikola Jovic and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 each in the win. Serbia has been more efficient and has better talent than South Sudan. Take Servia here.
Pick: Serbia +16.5 (-110)
Georgia vs. Venezuela
Georgia took an 88-67 beating from Slovenia in their second matchup in the FIBA World Cup. No player in the starting lineup added more than nine points against Slovenia. That's a problem, but not the biggest problem. The biggest problem is that the two NBA players on the roster are coming off the bench. Meanwhile, in its most recent game, Venezuela shot just 38.1% from the field against Cape Verde. Venezuela held Cape Verde to nine points in the second quarter but only scored nine in the fourth quarter. Like Georgia, the bench outshined the starters for Venezuela. Still, Georgia has the NBA talent going for them. Back Georgia in this one.
Pick: Georgia -12.5 (-110)
United States vs. Jordan
The US has the best team in the competition. They just defeated Greece 109-81. Every player on Team USA scored at least two points in that game. They shot over 57% from the floor and added 40.9% from downtown against Greece. Meanwhile, they'll take on a Jordan team that has Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. He's averaged 31.5 points per game on 54.3% from the field. He also mysteriously looks like Kobe when he shoots. However, Jordan is 0-2 and won't move on to the next round. Enjoy RHJ while you can. But take the US to cover.
Pick: USA -42.5 (-110)
Cote D'Ivoire vs. Brazil
The Ivory Coast shot just 37.3% from the field against Iran. However, they found a way to defeat Iran, 71-69. Ivory Coast limited turnovers to 12, and no player scored more than 10 points in the starting lineup. However, Nisre Zouzoua has shown some confidence off the bench. He shot 5-for-14 from the field and 3-for-9 from downtown while adding 17 points from the bench. They'll take on a Brazil unit that only forced nine turnovers against Spain in a 96-78 loss. Brazil just ran out of gas in the second half. However, they're way more talented, especially with their starters. Let's take Brazil here.
Pick: Brazil -18.5 (-110)
Slovenia vs. Cape Verde
Luka Doncic is must-see TV with Slovenia. He leads the World Cup with an average of 35.5 points per game. Slovenia defeated Georgia, 88-67, after Doncic's 34 points. Zoran Dragic added 12, and Klemen Prepelic also added 15. Slovenia will take on a Cape Verde team looking to make the next round. Cape Verde defeated Venezuela after shooting nearly 46% from the field on Monday. Willy Tavares added 20 points on 8-for-14 from the field. Cape Verde shot 42.3% from downtown in that last game. They've got some reliable shooters in the starting lineup. I'll back the Over in this one.
Pick: Over 176.5 (-110)
China vs. Puerto Rico
China might be the worst team in the FIBA World Cup. They're 0-2 after an 89-69 loss to South Sudan. The Chinese forced just five turnovers and allowed South Sudan to shoot 50% from downtown in that game. Kyle Anderson led China with 22 points. You know China can't be good if he's the go-to scorer. On the other hand, Puerto Rico has been a disappointment in the World Cup. In their last game, they lost to Serbia, 94-77, and will need a win against China to advance. Puerto Rico shot just 36.5% from the field against South Sudan. That needs to change against China. But Puerto Rico should be fine with China playing the worst defense in the World Cup.
Pick: Puerto Rico -11.5 (-110)
Greece vs. New Zealand
Greece lost to the United States, 109-81. It is what it is. A beatdown like that was expected, especially without Giannis Antetokoumpo. Greece still shot 47.1% from the field and over 30% from downtown. That's not entirely bad against a US team that has length. Meanwhile, New Zealand gave the United States more of a battle. They also defeated Jordan in overtime, 95-87. New Zealand shot 52% from three and still needed overtime to defeat Jordan. I still think New Zealand played better defensively over the last two games, and they've also got enough depth to score throughout the game. Take New Zealand in this one.
Pick: New Zealand +10.5 (-110)
Iran vs. Spain
Iran was at least competitive against the Ivory Coast on Monday. They shot 42.1% from the field and nailed 35.7% from three. Behnam Yakchali added 19 points against Ivory Coast, and Mohammad Amini scored 15. Both of those two are the primary scorers of Iran. But the success of those two likely won't carry over against Spain. On Monday, Spain defeated Brazil, 96-78, while shooting nearly 52% from the field. The Spanish also turned the ball over nine times and shot nearly 42% from downtown. Spain has a lot of NBA-level talent, including the Hernangomez brothers, Usman Garuba, and Santi Aldama. Spain's got this one in the bag.
Pick: Spain -33.5 (-110)
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