Game two of Tuesday’s 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals does not project to be as competitive as the first game when Lithuania faces Serbia. However, it should be an entertaining affair as Team USA (4-1), ranked No. 2 in the world, faces 10th-ranked Italy (4-1). Team USA and Italy are meeting for the 15th time. The Americans have won four straight meetings and hold a 12-2 edge in the series.
USA vs. Italy FIBA World Cup Quarterfinals: Best Bets, Same Game Parlay, and Player Props
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Tip is slated for 8:40 a.m. (ET) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. The game will be televised by ESPN2 and streamed on Fubo TV. Team USA is favored by 15.5 points, with the Over/Under set at 177.5 Points. The U.S. is a -2000 on the money line while Italy is +800.
About Italy
Italy has guaranteed its best finish at the World Cup since 1998, when the Italians finished sixth. Italy, fifth in the 2020 Olympics, has won three straight and nine of 10. They reached the knockout stage by defeating Puerto Rico as Giampalo Ricci and Stefano Tonut tallied 15 points. Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio had 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Nicolo Melli grabbed 12 boards.
Italy averages 80.5 points with a shooting slash line of .437/.314/.830. The Italians also grabbed 39.2 rebounds (11.4 offensive), 19.8 assists, and 10.6 turnovers. Defensively, Italy allows 74 points on 38.6% shooting from the field and 27.7% from beyond the arc. Italian opponents allow 36.2 rebounds (8.4 offensive) and 13.8 turnovers a game.
Fontecchio leads four players in double-figures with 18.4 points and 6.6 rebounds. Melli and Marco Spissu also has played well.
About Team USA
Prediction
Expect the USA to learn from their mistakes over the past two games and focus on hitting the glass. The Americans are just too athletic and talented not to roll over the Italians, who aren’t as good as in previous years. Plus, Italy lacks the size and shooting ability of the Lithuanians and Montenegro.
While the U.S. should win this game handily, I don’t recommend giving up the 15.5 points, as Italy is tough defensively and will likely try to slow the pace. Brunson, Haliburton, Banchero, and Jackson should have huge games.
I do like some team bets.
Best Bet: Highest Scoring Half Second (-115)
The second half has been the highest-scoring half in eight of the U.S.’s last 10 games.
Bet: USA Under 24.5 first-quarter points (-110)
The U.S. is a second-half team and has not scored more than 23 points over the first 10 minutes during the tournament. They had just 12 points against Lithuania. Italy starts strong defensively and allows 17 points in the first quarter at the World Cup.
Same Game Parlay Alternate Lines (+115): USA (-10.5) and Over (172.5)
Player Props
Jalen Brunson Over 10.5 Points (-110)
Simone Fontecchio Under 19.5 Points (-135)
Paola Banchero Over 7.5 Points (-135), Over 3.5 Rebounds (+105)
Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 Rebounds (-155)
Tyrese Haliburton Over 4.5 Assists (-170)
