FIBA World Cup 2023 | Best Bets, August 25

Day one of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup tips off, and we're diving into group play! We've got all the best odds and predictions for the FIBA World Cup Tournament opening day!

There are several exciting matchups worth watching when Day One tips off. Patty Mills leads Australia, who aim to start strong when they take on Finland and Lauri Markkanen. Karl-Anthony Towns captains a revitalized Dominican Republic side against Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto, and the host Philippines. And two basketball heavyweights close out the day when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Canada against Rudy Gobert and France!

Let's check out the bets!

Angola vs Italy

• When: 4:00 AM EST
  
• Where: Philippine Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Check out our list of the best NBA betting sites for more betting opportunities.

Total: Under 156.5 (-111) 

For two consecutive FIBA World Cups, Angola and Italy will face off in the group phase. When these teams faced off in 2019, Italy won by a margin of 31 points. Both teams look improved this time out, and it should make for an exciting opening match.

Bruno Fernando leads an upstart Angola side who were fourth in scoring (74.1), third in rebounding (43.0), and fifth in assists (15.8) through the FIBA Africa Qualifiers. Simone Fontecchio and Itay were the top-scoring side through the FIBA European Qualifiers (88.1), second in assists (21.1) but 23rd in rebounding (33.7).

Expect a more competitive matchup when Italy and Angola face off in the group phase. Angola may give the Italians some trouble on the glass, but Italy's overall skill and offensive output should be too much for the Africans to handle.

Finland vs Australia

• When: 4:00 AM EST
  
• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Spread: Australia -10.5 (-108)

Finland and Australia kick off the action for Group E when the FIBA World Cup tips off. It is an exciting matchup, as the Boomers are one of the favorites to take home the FIBA World Cup this year, while Finland is experiencing a Golden Generation for their basketball program.

Australia dominated the FIBA Asia Qualifying process, averaging 90.3 points (2nd), 45.4 rebounds (1st), and 25.8 assists (1st), and will be led by longtime Boomers star Patty Mills. Finland was competitive through the FIBA European Qualifiers, averaging 81.5 points (5th), 37.2 rebounds (13th), and 18.8 assists (10th) - they'll hope to be even more competitive with star man Lauri Markkanen leading the offense.

The pre-tournament numbers are fantastic for Australia, but they participate in a less competitive region than Finland. Expect a close game to start, but Australia's presence in the paint and shooting will be the difference maker.

Mexico vs Montenegro

• When: 4:45 AM EST
  
• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds Courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.

Spread: Montenegro -9.0 (-110)

Here's a matchup that fans don't get to see every day: two rising squads in their continents, Mexico and Montenegro, tip off the schedule for Group D. Mexico made their way through the Americas with impressive wins over Colombia, Uruguay, and the United States. At the same time, Montenegro continued to show their worth against the giants of Europe.

NBA All-Star center Nikola Vucevic leads Montenegro, whose qualification run was inconsistent, averaging 75.0 points (19th), 36.2 rebounds (16th), and 15.5 assists per game (28). Mexico is paced by backcourt duo Gabriel Giron and Pako Cruz, who led Mexico to 83.3 points (4th), 37.2 rebounds (11th), and 20.3 assists (3rd) per game through the Americas Qualifiers.

Expect Mexico to show strong when they take on Montenegro, but the quality difference will be felt as the game grows. Mexico's shooting may cause Montenegro issues, but the battle in the paint will be in the European's favor.

Latvia vs Lebanon

• When: 5:15 EST
  
• Where: Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia

Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Spread: Latvia -16.5 (-111)

Lebanon enters this Group H matchup with Latvia, hoping to upset the Europeans, who are missing their biggest star. Lebanon was brilliant through the qualification process, being the first Asian team to qualify for the World Cup, while Latvia went undefeated through their first five qualification windows.

Latvia's quality was on full display through the qualification process, averaging 81.8 points (4th), 39.5 rebounds (3rd), and 20.3 assists (3rd) behind the leadership of Rihards Lomazs and Dairis Bertans. Point guard Wael Arakji was critical to Lebanon's qualifying run, where they averaged 89.7 points (3rd), 36.8 rebounds (10th), and 19.5 assists (4th) per game.

Lebanon put forth an efficient offense through the qualifiers, but they'll face some issues taking on the high tempo of Latvia's offensive game plan. Both sides have excellent shooters, so it'll come down to the defense and interior scoring.

Dominican Republic vs Philippines

• When: 8:00 AM EST
  
• Where: Philippine Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Total: Over 171.5

Dominican Republic will face hosts Philippines and a raucous crowd when they tip off their first game of the FIBA World Cup. The Philippines have put together their strongest robust roster in recent years, but the Dominican Republic has been able to assemble a star-filled cast of players quietly.

Qualifying as hosts, the Philippines didn't disappoint through the Asia Qualifiers by averaging 80.2 points (4th), 44.3 rebounds (2nd), and 18.5 assists (7th) behind contributions from Dwight Ramos and Kai Sotto. The Dominican Republic surprised by coming out of the Americas Qualifiers, averaging 82.1 points (5th), 41.8 rebounds (3rd), and 19.2 assists (5th).

The Philippines will be prepared to perform on their home court, with NBA guard Jordan Clarkson leading their offense. But the Dominican Republic will challenge them with perennial NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns. Expect the Philippines to put up a good fight, but the Dominican's offense should be too much for them to handle

Germany vs Japan

• When: 8:10 AM EST
  
• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

Odds Courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.  

Spread: Germany -18.5 (-115) 

Germany pitches their most robust generation of players since Dirk Nowitzki against co-hosts Japan on Day One of the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Japan will miss an NBA talent in Rui Hachimura, but they're sure to put in a great effort against the European giants on their home court.

Japan qualified for the tournament as hosts and was solid through the FIBA Asia Qualifiers, averaging 76.4 points (7th), 36.8 rebounds (9th), and 18.7 assists (6th). Germany showed off their interior strength through the FIBA Europe Qualifiers, averaging 80.0 points (10th), 41.1 rebounds (2nd), and 18.8 assists (9th).

Germany is a very talented team and one of the dark horses of the tournament behind the efforts of Dennis Schroder and the Wagner brothers. Japan lacks the talent and interior presence to compete with Germany in this matchup.

Egypt vs Lithuania

• When: 8:30 AM EST
  
• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.  

Spread: Lithuania -20.5 (-111)

Egypt are in for a difficult night when they take on Lithuania in their first game of the FIBA World Cup. Lithuania's depth was fully displayed through the qualifiers, so Egypt must maintain their quality through all 40 minutes of play.

Lithuania qualified for the FIBA World Cup with a window to spare, averaging 76.8 points (17th), 38.3 rebounds (11th), and 18.0 assists (17th) behind the efforts of 35 different players through the process. Egypt's famed frontcourt was vital in their qualification, leading the team to 73.4 points (6th), 43.1 rebounds (2nd), and 14.5 assists (8th).

This match projects to be one of the most one-sided affairs of Day One at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Egypt was great through the African Qualifiers behind new head coach Roy Rana, but the depth of talent in Lithuania's squad will be too great.

Canada vs France

• When: 9:30 AM EST
  
• Where: Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Spread: France -1.5 (-110)

Canada and France will feature in the most exciting matchup of Day One at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Both teams are expected to make a run at first place in the tournament as they jockey for the top position in their group.

France was, as usual, dominant through the qualifiers and averaged 81.1 points (6th), 39.4 rebounds (5th), and 20.0 assists (5th). Canada also dominated their qualifiers in the Americas, averaging 97.7 points per game (1st), 43.3 rebounds (2nd), and 21.2 assists (1st). Now, with their NBA talents available, both squads are more capable than ever.

This is a difficult match to predict, but the slight edge goes to France. While Canada is brimming with talent, their rather average three-point shooting ability plays well into the hands of France and their defensive game plan. Expect a closely contested affair between two teams almost certain to qualify for the next round.