With half of the 2023 FIBA World Cup complete, I will look at the best bets for the other half of the first set of group games. Unlike on opening day, there are not many intriguing contests. The must-watch match of the day is South Sudan versus Puerto Rico.
2023 FIBA World Cup:
Georgia vs. Cape Verde
This opening-round game has major implications for Group F. The winner will have the inside track for second place in the group behind Slovenia, who should easily dispatch Venezuela on Saturday. Both teams are making their FIBA World Cup debuts.
Georgia is a more experienced and talented squad. Georgia, which has never finished higher than 11th in EuroBaskets, finished 12th place in European Qualification with a 7-5 record. They went 3-4 in tuneup contests, with two losses being close setbacks to Lithuania and Australia. Former NBA player Tornike Shengelia, San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvilli, and Indiana Pacers center Goga Bitadze lead the tiny country.
Similarly, Cape Verde is making its first major tournament appearance. Cape Verde finished fourth in African Qualification with a 3-3 record, their highest finish since placing third in 2007. The Blue Sharks, the oldest team in the World Cup, is led by former NBA player Edy Tavares. Cape Verde went 0-2 in tuneup games, losing by 20 to China and 27 to Turkey, as they scored a combined 129 points in those two games.
Georgia, favored by 1345 points, should win this game easily as Cape Verde struggles to score. While the Under 155.5 points is very intriguing, I’m going with the favorites to cover here. The favorites were 7-1 on Friday, though they were just 4-4 against the spread.
Best Bet: Georgia -14.5 points (-110)
South Sudan Over Puerto Rico
South Sudan is another first-time FIBA World Cup participant and is a relatively new basketball program, as the South Sudan Basketball Federation wasn’t established until 2011. However, it would be a colossal mistake for Puerto Rico, a 1.5-point favorite, to underestimate South Sudan.
With several current and former NBA and college players on the roster, South Sudan set a record by going 11-1 during African Qualification. They also went 3-2 in tuneup games, losing by 10 to Brazil and 21 to Australia. Former Chicago Bull Luol Deng, as South Sudan Basketball Federation president, has assembled a quality team featuring Carlik Jones, Maryiol Shayak, and Wenyen Gabriel. Meanwhile, Houston Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey coaches the squad.
Puerto Rico is making its ninth straight FIBA World Cup appearance. Puerto Rico went 8-4 while finishing second in American qualifying. However, they struggled during the World Cup tuneup games. Puerto Rico went 1-5 in those six exhibition contests, losing their last five by double-figures. Tremont Waters leads the way for the Carribean Islanders, though George Conditt IV and Ethan Thompson are also on the roster.
This could be a back-and-forth game, but I like South Sudan to come out on top ultimately.
Best Bet: South Sudan (+125)
2- Legged Parlay
Slovenia -21.5 points (-108) Over Venezuela
Serbia -19.5 Points (-110) Over China
2-legged Parlay: +267
