2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (8/25)
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
Angola vs. Italy
In February, Angola defeated Uganda, Cape Verde, and Nigeria in the World Cup Qualifiers. In the preparation games, Angola defeated Venezuela, lost to Mexico by two, to Jordan, to Portugal, and most recently to Japan. They've got one NBA player in Brun Fernando. They'll take on Italy, who has Simone Fontecchio as the lone NBA player. Fontecchio added 21 points in an overtime win against Turkey. They also defeated China on August 5 behind Matteo Spagnolo. This team also added a win against Serbia and defeated Greece. Lastly, Italy dominated Puerto Rico and beat Brazil 93-87 most recently. Italy will be much more prepared for this one.
Pick: Italy -20.5 (-110)
Finland vs. Australia
Finland is led by Lauri Markkanen. He's already had some big games in the preparation slate. He's had multiple games with double-doubles, including a 32 points, 11-rebound game against Lithuania. Latvia crushed Finland in their most recent matchup, but you can still expect Markkanen to do some big things with Finland. They'll take on an Australian team that is filled with NBA talent. Some notable names include Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, and Matisse Thybulle. In the prep games, Giddey has been doing it all. Expect more of that when the FIBA Tournament begins. Take Australia here.
Pick: Australia -9.5 (-108)
Mexico vs. Montenegro
Mexico has played a lot of basketball to prepare for the FIBA World Cup. They've played ten games since July 19. This team has no NBA player, but they've won nine of the ten games leading up to the World Cup. They'll face Montenegro, who will have Nikola Vucevic on their side. Vucevic added 19 points and nine rebounds in his last matchup against the Philippines. As a team, they finished the game with 102 points. And that wasn't the only game where they added at least 100 points this year. The over seems likely.
Pick: Over 155.5 (-108)
Latvia vs. Lebanon
The Latvian National team only has Davis Bertans from the NBA. Kristaps Porzingis won't participate due to a foot injury. Latvia dominated games in their hometown but didn't look as good in China when playing some tune-up games. They'll face Lebanon in the first matchup. They've got Omari Spellman, who had played in the NBA earlier in his career. He's now playing in Korea. This team lost its most recent game in Abu Dhabi against Mexico, 88-70. I wouldn't expect much out of this team moving forward. Latvia at least produces talent. Take Latvia here.
Pick: Latvia -16.5 (-108)
Dominican Republic vs. Philippines
The Dominican Republic has an outstanding leader on its team this year. Karl-Anthony Towns has already added 20 points in his last two games against Spain and Canada. He even helped the DR defeat Canada back in August 2023. Towns and the Dominican Republic will face a Philippines squad with a prolific scorer in Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson already had 27 points in a game on August 20. Based on the China prep games earlier this summer, the Philippines played exceptionally well on defense. I like the Philippines in this spot if they can contain Karl-Anthony Towns.
Pick: Philippines +11.5 (-108)
Germany vs. Japan
Team Germany gave the United States a scare earlier this week. They almost defeated USA, but ended up losing 99-91. Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder have been the two heavy contributors. This team also has Moritz Wagner and Daniel Theis, who still play in the NBA. They'll take on a Japanese team whose best player is Keisei Tominaga from Nebraska. He hasn't even willed Nebraska to the top half of the Big Ten throughout his career. He's a lethal shooter and is a tremendous basketball player. But it'll take more than him. Germany should roll over this Japan team, especially after we just watched Japan lose to Slovenia 103-68.
Pick: Germany -18.5 (-112)
Egypt vs. Lithuania
The Egyptian roster doesn't have any NBA players. This team lost three tune-up games dating back to July, including a 70-64 loss to Lebanon on August 17. They'll take on a Lithuanian team that will have Jonas Valanciunas. However, Domantis Sabonis will not participate in this event. Still, this team has played 11 prep games before the FIBA World Cup. Valanciunas has led the team in the last four games, with multiple double-doubles and plenty of points in each game. He'll be the star of this game and other games moving forward. Back Lithuania in this one.
Pick: Lithuania -19.5 (-110)
Canada vs. France
Canada is filled with superstars, including RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadians have played in five tune-up games. In one of those games, Canada escaped Germany behind R.J. Barrett's 31 points and five rebounds. Lu Dort has been very productive in most games, too. But Canada's loss to the Dominican Republic in their most recent game was a little worrisome. They'll face France in Group H, who have NBA players like Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier. France got 29 from Fournier in their most recent tune-up game. Those 29 points weren't enough in a loss to Australia. France won every game before that one in the tune-up stage. I know there's so much NBA talent. However, France is known for its defense. They held Australia to 78, Japan to 70, and Lithuania to 70 in their last three games. Take the Under.
Pick: Under 165.5 (-110)
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