Team USA looming as team to beat in FIBA World Cup

August 31, 2023 1:12 pm.by Staff Writer

James Harden drives on Ben Simmons — James Harden is in content to win the MVP at the FIBA World Cup being played in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

Team USA, with an unbeaten record in Group C, is now focused on facing Lithuania and Montenegro in Group J of the FIBA World Cup second round.

Led by James Harden, who’s a contender for the tournaments MVP, the American team aims to maintain their dominance and secure a spot in the knockout stages.

Team USA is priced at $1.72 with basketball betting sites to win the FIBA World Cup, with Canada ($5.50), Spain ($10), Germany ($12) and Australian ($13) also fancied in the markets.

Lithuania, who secured place via Group F where they were unbeaten, will provide a challenge for Team USA.

Led by Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis, Lithuania possesses both physicality and talent which can pose difficulties for any opponent.

On the other hand, Montenegro finished second in Group D and will be looking to make statement against Team USA.

With Milos Teodosic and Kendrick Perry leading their backcourt, Montenegro has the potential to be a tough team to defeat.

However, online bookmakers do not give them much home of defeating the USA, pricing them at $13 to win, with the Americans as short a $1.01 to win.

To overcome these challenging opponents, Team USA must bring their A game, although one win from their pool games should be enough to see them through to the quarter finals.

The Americans are then likely to face a quarter-final clash against Serbia or the Dominican Republic, who both remain unbeaten after the first round of the World Cup.

If they are successful in their quarter final they could face an outstanding Australian team, that must win both their round 2 matches to qualify for the quarter finals after losing to Germany in their opening matches.

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