FIBA World Cup 2023 | Best Bets, August 30

It's the last day of the first round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and teams are either eliminated from contention or desperate to earn a spot in the second round!

World Cup debutants South Sudan aim to upset Serbia to earn a place in the tournament's second round. Similarly, Brazil needs a win over Cote d'Ivoire to avoid elimination. Greece and New Zealand will battle it out to determine second place in Group C.

Let's check out the bets!

South Sudan vs Serbia

When: 4:00 AM EST

Where: Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines

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

Total: Over 166.5 (-110)

While Serbia is qualified for the second round, South Sudan needs a win and some fortune to progress to the next phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Serbia is 2-0 through the first round, earning wins over Puerto Rico and China, with a +59 points differential. South Sudan is 1-1 through the first round, with a win over China and a +15 points differential.

South Sudan has played rapidly, averaging 92.5 points per game (8th) on 49.6% from the field and 44.6% from the three-point range. Carlik Jones has led South Sudan, averaging 28.0 points and 8.5 assists through two games on 51.4% shooting from the field. Serbia has been even better at scoring the ball, averaging 99.5 points (3rd) and 27.5 assists (3rd) on 54.8% from the field and 39.6% from three. Bogdan Bogdanovic has paced Serbia on offense, averaging 15.5 points per game despite shooting 28.6% from three-point range.

Serbia has no reason to go all-out in this game, as they're already qualified for the next round. Don't expect them to go easy on South Sudan, though, as plenty about their form can be improved upon.

Georgia vs Venezuela

When: 4:00 AM EST

Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

Odds courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.

Spread: Georgia -12.5 (-110)

Georgia hasn't secured a place in the Second Round, but a win over Venezuela would help their case. Venezuela has gone winless through two games, with a -21 points differential. Georgia is 1-1 after defeating Cape Verde but losing to Serbia, owning a +4 points differential.

Through their two games, they have averaged 76.0 points per game on 44.3% from the field and 33.3% from three on just 7.5 made per game. Sandro Mamukelashvili has led Georgia in scoring, averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds on 59.1% from the field. Venezuela has been the better offensive team, averaging 80.0 points on 42.3% from the field and 38.9% from three on 14 made threes per game. Gary Sojo has been Venezuela's top scorer, averaging 14.5 points per game and two made threes on 47.6% from the floor and 40.0% from deep.

While Serbia bested Georgia, they showed their quality against Venezuela. The South Americans are sure to come out shooting to earn their only win of the tournament, but Georgia's size will be an issue for them. Expect an up-and-down game, but Venezuela's defense will suffer.

United States vs Jordan

When: 4:40 AM EST

Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Total: Over 185.5 (-113)

With two wins to their name, the United States has secured their place in the second round, while Jordan is desperate for a victory before flying home. The United States easily won against Greece and New Zealand, earning a +55 points differential. For all their effort, Jordan is 0-2 and has a -29 points differential.

The United States has averaged 104.0 points per game (2nd) on 58.3% from the field. With a relatively egalitarian offense, Paolo Banchero leads the USA in scoring with just 14.5 points per game on 75.0% shooting from the field. Jordan has struggled offensively, scoring just 79.0 points per game (21st) on 41.9% shooting. Their bright spot has been Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the tournament's second-leading scorer at 31.5 points per game on 54.3% efficiency.

All things should go in favor of the United States in this matchup. Jordan is a hard-working squad, but the pace of play and depth of the United States will overwhelm them. An up-and-down game wouldn't be unexpected.

Cote d'Ivoire vs Brazil

When: 5:45 AM EST

Where: Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Total: Under 157.5 (-110)

Cote d'Ivoire and Brazil will battle it out for second place in Group G and a spot in the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Brazil is 1-1 through the tournament and coming off a loss to Spain, now owning a +23 points differential. Cote d'Ivoire capitalized with a win over Iran in their last match, now with a 1-1 record but a -28 points differential.

Brazil have averaged 89.0 points per game (11th) on 48.8% from the field through their interior play. Bruno Caboclo has starred on the offensive end for Brazil, averaging 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Cote d'Ivoire will need another big game from Nisre Zouzoua, who is coming off a 17-point showing despite going just 5/14 on the night.

The favorites, Brazil, should not be out of their depth against Cote d'Ivoire. With the advantage on both ends of the court, Brazil should easily overcome their opponents - unless Cote d'Ivoire puts on an unexpected performance.

Slovenia vs Cape Verde

When: 7:30 AM EST

Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

Odds courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.

Total: Over 176.5 (-110)

Slovenia has booked their ticket to the second round of the FIBA World Cup, but Cape Verde needs a massive victory to stay involved in the tournament. Cape Verde are 1-1 after winning their last game against Venezuela but are still behind 1-1 Georgia due to their -19 points differential. Slovenia is 2-0 through the tournament and owns a +36 points differential.

Slovenia is one of the better scoring teams in the tournament, with 94.0 points per game (7th) while hitting 11 threes on 36.7% from the field. To nobody's surprise, they are led by the tournament's top scorer, Luka Doncic, averaging 35.5 points on 52.6% from the field. Relatively shallow offensively, Cape Verde averages 70.5 points per game on 36.9% from the field. Their duo of Edy and Will Tavares are key players, with Edy manning the glass and rim while Will has scored 14.5 per game.

Cape Verde has little depth on offense, but they'll try to get up and down the court against Slovenia. Still, the Doncic-led Slovenia have too much talent and the shooting to overcome Cape Verde's rim protectors.

China vs Puerto Rico

When: 8:00 AM EST

Where: Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Total: Over 160.5 (-113)

While China has been eliminated from World Cup contention, their opponents, Puerto Rico, need a significant victory to qualify for the second round. Going 0-2 through the first round, China has one of the worst points differentials with -62. Puerto Rico is 1-1 in the tournament but has a -12 points differential.

Puerto Rico has averaged 89.0 points per game (T-11th) despite shooting under 40.0% from the field and three-point range. Stephen Thompson Jr. leads Puerto Rico with 15.0 points per game on 45.8% from the field and 50.0% from three on three made per game. China is the second-worst scoring team in the tournament, averaging 66.0 points per game on 41.7% from the field and 32.7% from deep. Rui Zhao is the sole bright spot for China, averaging 15.0 points on 55.0% from the field and making two threes a game.

Expect Puerto Rico to push the pace from the outset. They must overcome their -12 points differential should they tie with South Sudan to qualify for the next round. However, for all of China's struggles, their size in the paint may cause Puerto Rico issues.

Greece vs New Zealand

When: 8:40 AM EST

Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread: Greece -10.5 (-110)

Greece and New Zealand will decide their FIBA World Cup fate when they face off on Wednesday. The Greeks are coming off a loss to the United States but are 1-1 with a -7 points differential. New Zealand won overtime in their last game against Jordan, now with a -19 points differential.

Both teams are right in the middle of the pack regarding scoring. Greece are 14th in scoring, averaging 86.5 points per game on 49.6% efficiency. New Zealand are 15th in scoring with 83.5 points per game on 41.7% shooting. Big man Georgios Papapgiannis is the crucial player for Greece, averaging 12.5 points while handling the paint, while Izayah Le'afa has led the Tall Blacks' scoring efforts with 16.0 points and 3.5 made threes per game.

While this should be a competitive matchup, Greece has the advantage with ball movement and size in the paint. New Zealand has some great shooters on hand, but in a gritty matchup, the edge goes to the European representatives, Greece.

Iran vs Spain

When: 9:30 AM EST

Where: Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia

Odds courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.

Total: Over 155.5 (-110)

Iran and Spain close out the schedule of games, and it projects to be a one-sided affair. Spain have secured their place with a 2-0 record through the first round. Iran is winless through two games and has been eliminated from World Cup contention.

Spain has been one of the best passing teams in the tournament, averaging 95.0 points (5th) and 28.0 assists on 52.4% shooting from the field. Center Willy Hernangomez has led the way for the reigning champions, averaging 18.0 points on 59.1% from the field. Iran is on the other end of the spectrum, averaging 64.0 points per game (32nd) on 39.3% from the field. It may be the last World Cup appearance for legend Hamed Haddadi, who is averaging 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds through two games.

It'll be Spain's game to lose in this matchup, but Iran will play for pride. The reigning champions are sure to go deep into their bench for their last game of the first round, but they'll still have the quality to defeat Iran.