CANADA, GERMANY, SERBIA, AND USA ADVANCE TO MEDAL PHASE IN FIBA WORLD CUP
The American team is considered a favorite to win gold in the 2023 FIBA World Cup with odds of -165, followed by Canada (+340), Serbia (+800), and Germany (+900). The FIBA World Cup has reached its final stages in the Philippines, with the semifinals and medal rounds. Team USA faces Germany on Friday in Manila, while Canada and Serbia go head to head in the same day.
Previously, Team USA was the betting favorite to win gold at -125 odds, and Canada was the second favorite at +450 on DraftKings' FIBA World Cup futures board. However, countries like Australia, Spain, and France, which were considered favorite teams before the tournament, failed to advance to the quarterfinals. France was -125 odds to win their group but was eliminated by Canada and Latvia.
Spain began their title defense as the seventh favorite on the board to win the World Cup at +2000 odds. Unfortunately, Spain did not have point guard Ricky Rubio, who withdrew from the team due to mental health concerns.
Greece, who had a challenging match against Team USA in Group C, was destined to lose once their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, opted out of the World Cup due to ongoing knee surgery issues.
USA -165
The United States team is determined to improve their dismal seventh-place finish in the previous edition of the tournament. With multiple playmakers like Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), they have a strong chance of winning gold.
Anthony Edwards emerges as the team's leading scorer with 17.3 points per game. Tyrese Haliburton leads the team with 5.0 assists per game. Their coach, Steve Kerr, has focused on implementing an up-tempo, fast-paced offense that has given the opponents issues.
"We have so many guys with speed and quickness and ballhandling ability. It's always easier to attack a defense that's not set than one that's set," said Kerr. "So that's been a theme for us."
USA has impressed audiences, going 5-1 into the semifinals with their only loss being against Lithuania. Josh Hart (New York Knicks) has contributed significantly as he came off the bench at the start of the tournament but was later moved to the starting lineup by Kerr for more playing time. Hart is the team's leading rebounder with 6.0 boards per game.
Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers) has also performed admirably, with an average of 11.0 points and 50% shooting from three-point range.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVuY_50bhnw&ab_channel=FIBA-TheBasketballChannel]
Canada +340
Canada has become a surprise powerhouse at the FIBA World Cup, with a group of interconnected NBA players making a significant impact.
Canada barely made it past +1400 odds to win the World Cup initially, but with the emergence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), R.J. Barrett (New York Knicks), and Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets), they find themselves as the second favorites on the futures board after the Americans.
The Canadian team also boasts other NBA players like Lug Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kelly Olynyk, and Dwight Powell.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an NBA All-Star and finished fifth in MVP voting for his career-high 31.4 points per game with the Thunder during the season. He is an obvious contender for MVP and player of the tournament.
Canada made it to the quarterfinals by edging out the defending champions, Spain, in a tight 3-point win. Gilgeous-Alexander stole the show with his impressive 36-point performance against the Spanish team.
Canada triumphed against Slovenia in their quarters match, scoring 100 points to Slovenia's 89. Gilgeous-Alexander shone, scoring a whopping 40 points. Not to be outshined, Slovenia had its own star - NBA All-Star Luka Doncić from the Dallas Mavericks. However, he faced some strong opposition from Canada's Barrett and Brooks who constantly pushed him. Exasperated, Doncić got ejected for two technical fouls after disagreeing with the officials.
Despite Doncić's absence, Slovenia made it to the Paris Olympics by excelling in the FIBA World Cup.
Serbia: +800
The NBA champion Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic hails from Serbia. But, he opted out of the FIBA World Cup to relax and spend time with his family. Despite this, Serbia remained a formidable forcefield, boasting players like Bogdan Bogdanovic from the Atlanta Hawks, Nikola Jovic from the Miami Heat, and Filip Petrusev from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Serbia handed Lithuania a thumping with 25 points from Bogdanovic and 22 points from Petrusev in their quarterfinals victory.
They face an intense encounter with Canada in the semifinals, with odds of winning the gold medal standing at +800.
Germany: +900
Brothers Franz and Mortiz Wagner both played for the Orlando Magic in the last NBA season. Germany's team also includes NBA players like Daniel Theis of the Indiana Pacers and Dennis Schroder from the L.A. Lakers.
It's Schroder who steals the spotlight in the FIBA World Cup with his robust performance on both ends. His youngest brother, Franz, injured his ankle but returned to action with a game-high 22 points in their narrow 2-point win over Latvia in the quarters.
According to Kerr, coach of Team USA, Germany has been the strongest team in the tournament. "They're highly connected, well-coached, and have a lot of experience and a very strong team, a physically strong team," said Kerr.
Both teams have 6-0 records, but Germany lags behind as +900 long shots for winning the FIBA World Cup.
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