FIBA World Cup Group D Preview: Lithuania Expected to Dominate

• Group D features promising World Cup competitors
• Lithuania is the clear favorite to win Group D
• Group D will play their matches at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines

Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup will feature a competitive group. It features some of the world's best international talent and rising stars. The favorites to win the group are Lithuania, who may be missing their biggest NBA star but carry over experience and a youthful injection of talent.

Montenegro is also ready to challenge for the top spot in the group after earning their place in the FIBA World Cup on the final day of European Qualification. It'll be the second time Montenegro has reached the World Cup, led by NBA center Nikola Vucevic.

Rounding out the group are Mexico and Egypt. Mexico has reached its sixth World Cup and second of the last three tournaments. Longtime African competitors, Egypt, aim to replicate the success of their days competing as the UAR.

Odds to Win Group D at the FIBA World Cup

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on August 13, 2023.

Group D Schedule

25 August 2023: Mexico vs Montenegro (4:45 AM EST)

• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines

25 August 2023: Egypt vs Lithuania (8:30 AM EST)

• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines

27 August 2023: Montenegro vs Egypt (4:45 AM EST)

• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines

27 August 2023: Lithuania vs Mexico (8:30 AM EST)

• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines

29 August 2023: Egypt vs Mexico (4:45 AM EST)

• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines

29 August 2023: Montenegro vs Lithuania (8:30 AM EST)

• Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines

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Who Is the Favorite to Win Group D at the FIBA World Cup?

Lithuania (-310)

FIBA World Ranking: 8

Odds to win the World Cup: +5500 BET HERE

Odds to win Group D: -310 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 6

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 27-14 (.659)

Best World Cup Finish: 3 (2010)

Head Coach: Kazys Maksvytis

Key Players: Jonas Valanciunas, Eimantas Bendzius, Ignas Bazdeikis

NBA Players: Jonas Valanciunas (MEM), Azuolas Tubelis (PHI)

Lithuania enter this World Cup campaign with renewed spirit and youthful vigor as a new era of Lithuanian basketball is being ushered in. One of Europe's most competitive nations, Lithuania secured qualification within the second-to-last window, despite many of their top players being unavailable. New head coach Kazys Maksvytis has been crucial to their success.

All eyes will be on big man Jonas Valanciunas, one of the world's most intimidating post-presences. While they'll be missing veteran star Jonas Maciulis due to retirement, young blood in Ignas Brazdeikis and Azuolas Tubelis expect to make an impact.

Lithuania is expected to top their group, but the inconsistency makes them an uncertain pick. While they'll likely progress to the next stage, their new batch of players is expected to have their struggles - especially from range. They're still the favorite, but it may be closer than most fans expect.

Who are the Contenders to Win Group D at the FIBA World Cup?

Montenegro (+310)

FIBA World Ranking: 18

Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group D: +310 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 3

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 1-4 (.200)

Best World Cup Finish: 25 (2019)

Head Coach: Bosko Radovic

Key Players: Nikola Vucevic, Kendrick Perry, Bojan Dubljevic

NBA Players: Nikola Vucevic (CHI)

After proving themselves in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Montenegro proved their participation wasn't a one-off event. While it took until the last day of European Qualifiers to earn their place in the Philippines, Montenegro proved they could compete with the best of Europe and the world.

All eyes will be on NBA big man Nikola Vucevic to lead Montenegro to the next round, but he has some capable contributors around him. Kendrick Perry and Bojan Dubljevic provide needed inside-outside options, while Vladimir Mihailovic's veteran presence will help lead the backcourt.

Montenegro is a team worth keeping an eye on as their size and shooting can be a difficult match, depending on the day. Expect them to have competitive matchups with every team in their group, with the ability to steal a game off the back of their interior presence alone.

Mexico (+1100)

FIBA World Ranking: 31

Odds to win the World Cup: +37000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group D: +1100 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 6

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 17-18 (.486)

Best World Cup Finish: 8 (1967)

Head Coach: Omar Quintero

Key Players: Gabriel Giron, Paul Stoll, Fabian James

NBA Players: n/a

Mexico impressed through their qualification and AmeriCup campaigns, even defeating their rival United States in September. It took until the final window to decide if Mexico would qualify for the World Cup, and a blowout victory over Colombia and a comeback win over Uruguay sealed their place in the Philippines.

Mexico will carry continuity into the FIBA Basketball World Cup as the likes of Paul Stoll, Gabriel Giron, and Fabian James will help guide their guard, wing, and frontcourt positions. Despite Mexico not bringing NBA talents like Juan Toscano-Anderson and Jaime Jaquez Jr., Mexico will maintain its fighting spirit as they take on Group D.

Proving themselves a worthy opponent through their Americas campaign, Mexico is a team with responsible guard play and capable three-point shooters. They're lacking in the frontcourt, so they'll need to make the most of every offensive opportunity and fight defensively to even think of competing for the top spot in the group.

Egypt (+4000)

FIBA World Ranking:55

Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group D: +4000 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 7

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 6-36 (.143)

Best World Cup Finish: 5 (1950)

Head Coach: Roy Rana

Key Players: Anas Mahmoud, Assem Marei, Ehab Amin

NBA Players: n/a

Longtime competitor at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, even as the United Arab Republic, Egypt has a rich history as a basketball nation. After bringing in Canadian head coach Roy Rana, Egypt secured qualification through the African Qualifiers.

Egypt was the second-best rebounding team through the African Qualifiers due to the contributions of frontcourt pairing Anas Mahmoud and Assem Marei - two former NCAA Division I players. Shooting guard Ehab Amin, a former NCAA Division I athlete, will lead the team from the perimeter.

Solid through their African Qualifiers, Egypt will have their hands full in Group D. Their size is no longer unmatched, and their perimeter play and playmaking need to show consistency. While Egypt may compete with Mexico to stay out of the bottom, their quality doesn't match their European competitors.