It has been a fun two weeks at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Southeast Asia. We are now down to just four countries still in medal contention. Their pursuits of gold continue on Friday at Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
FIBA World Cup Semi-Finals Preview 2023
Serbia vs. Canada
Serbia has been excellent throughout this year’s World Cup. Their only loss so far was by two points to Italy. Their other five games were all wins, with an average margin of victory of 28.6 points. That includes an 87-68 win over previously undefeated Lithuania on Tuesday. Bogdan Bogdanović has been their best player so far. He has averaged 18.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game so far. Those points and steals stats lead the team, and his scoring average is 13th overall in the tournament. But the Serbs have been a lot more than just him. Nikola Milutinov is averaging close to a double-double, including the sixth most rebounds per game overall. Nikola Jović and Stefan Jović have both played well, too. The latter is averaging 6.7 assists per game, the eighth most in the tournament.
Canada has been extremely impressive. They played well in their tune-up games leading into the World Cup, and that momentum continued. Their only loss was by four points to Brazil. That stretch of games both before and during the tournament includes a win over Spain, a double-digit win over Slovenia to advance to the semis, and a dominating 30-point win over France. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been nothing short of magnificent. He is averaging 25.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 0.2 BPG with a 30.2 efficiency rating. All of those numbers, except for blocks, lead the team. His crazy good efficiency rating is the best of any player in the tournament, and his scoring average is third best. Kelly Olynyk, RJ Barrett, and Dillon Brooks have also played well.
Prediction: Serbia wins
Tip-off: September 8, 4:45 a.m. ET
United States vs. Germany
The United States has made a nice comeback after their worst-ever finish of seventh place in the last World Cup in 2019. Their only loss so far was to Lithuania by six points, though it was only that close because of a late comeback bid by the Americans. They looked great in the Quarter-Finals on Tuesday, though, dominating Italy en route to a 37-point win. The team has struggled at times; they have also been excellent at other times. While they have gotten major contributions from all over the place, Anthony Edwards has been the star of the show. He averages a team-best 17.3 PPG, which is 20th in the tournament. He is also averaging 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.2 SPG. Mikal Bridges and Austin Reaves have been playing well, averaging double-digit points per game. No player on the team has been more efficient than Tyrese Haliburton.
One can argue that no one is playing better basketball right now than Germany. They have played a difficult six games and still won all of them. They are now the only remaining undefeated team left at this year’s World Cup after beating the fearless tournament darlings Latvia. One of the most impressive aspects of their performance so far is that they mostly did it without Franz Wagner. He got hurt in their opener against Japan and then missed the next four games before returning on Wednesday against Latvia. They beat Australia and Slovenia without him, and getting him back now is huge. Dennis Schröder has continued to be the leader of this team. He is top 20 in the tournament in scoring average and 11th in assists average. He is averaging 18.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 0.5 BPG. In addition, the big man duo of Franz’s older brother Moritz “Mo” Wagner and Daniel Theis has been great.
Prediction: Germany wins
Tip-off: September 8, 8:40 a.m. ET
