After things went according to script in the first set of the 2023 FIBA World Cup games, things got wild on Sunday. Latvia and the Dominican Republic pulled off major upsets over Italy and France. France, one of the favorites to reach the World Cup final, has been eliminated and will move to the classification stage once the season ends. Japan and Angola also picked victories as underdogs. Will the underdog trend continue tomorrow with the second half of the second set of games?
2023 FIBA World Cup:
Slovenia vs. Georgia
A huge Group F matchup, which features the section’s top two teams, should be outstanding. Slovenia (1-0) is coming off a 100-85 beat down of Venezuela on Saturday, behind Luka Doncic‘s 37 points. Former Charlotte Hornet Mike Tobey tallied 21 points on a perfect 9 of 9 shooting, while Klemen Prepelic added 18.
Slovenia is 4-1 in its last five games, averaging 89.6 points and allowing 88.8. However, they are 1-4 against the spread during this stretch.
Georgia (1-0) earned its first World Cup victory fairly easily with an 85-60 win over Cape Verde. Former NBA player Tornike Sheneglia led the way with 16 points, and Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadize produced a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double. Four other players contributed at least eight points, including San Antonio Spurs’ forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, who had 10.
Georgia is 3-2 in its last five games, averaging 84 points and allowing 73.3. Georgia has covered all five contests.
Slovenia is 3-0 all-time versus Georgia, although the teams haven’t met since 2015. Doncic is Doncic, but Georgia (+6.5) has enough talent and defends well enough to cover. It wouldn’t be surprising if they pulled the upset.
Best Bet: Under 179.5 Points (-110)
Same Game Parlay 2-Legged (+265): Georgia +6.5 and Under 179.5
3-Legged (+600): Georgia +6.5, Under 179.5 and Slovenia Wins
2-Legged (+145): Slovenia Wins, Under 179.5
South Sudan vs. China
South Sudan (0-1) looks to bounce back after having its heart broken in its overtime loss to Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, China (0-1) was hammered again in their 105-63 loss to Serbia.
Best Bet: South Sudan -2.5 first quarter quarter points (-120)
China has a history of getting off to slow starts and are awful defensively. Over their last five games, China has trailed after the opening quarter all five times while averaging 14 points and being outscored by 51 points.
Other FIBA World Cup Best Bets
New Zealand vs. Jordan Over 159 Points (-112)
Venezuela vs. Cape Verde Over 152.5 Points (-110)
Player Props
Luka Doncic Under 7.5 Assists (-135)
Sandro Mamukelashvili Under 14.5 Points (-135)
Kyle Anderson Under 13.5 Points (-125)
Zhou Qi Over 12.5 Points (-115)
Nuni Omot Over 9.5 Points
Tyrese Haliburton Over 4.5 assists (-130)
