2023 FIBA World Cup Day 4 Preview & Predictions
With Day 3 behind us, the 2023 FIBA World Cup enters an exciting Day 4, full of interesting games from tournament favorites as well as challenging tests for competition sleepers. Particularly interesting fixtures include Greece-Team USA, a game every basketball fan would be happy to watch in the knockout stages, and Puerto Rico-Serbia to establish who’s likely to come on top in a fun Group B. Another FIBA World Cup classic is Spain vs Brazil, which historically saw La Roja come out on top.
China vs South Sudan - Preview & Prediction
China vs South Sudan start time: the game will start on Monday 28th August at 9AM (GMT+1).
Location: China vs South Sudan will be played at the Araneta Coliseum, Philippines.
With China and South Sudan both coming off losses in their respective 2023 FIBA World Cup debuts, both will be desperate for a win if they want to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages. In this game, we expect a different China team, needing to react after a big blowout loss vs Serbia, the favorites to top Group B. The Chinese fans will hope Saša Djordevic will find a way to get more out of Kyle Anderson. South Sudan, on the other hand, gave Puerto Rico a surprisingly hard time in their World Cup debut off the back of an incredible 38 points, 6 boards, and 11 assists double double from Carlik Jones.
China are still expected to come through and take home their 2nd game of their 2023 FIBA World Cup, leading to a tense affair in their final game against Puerto Rico.
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Puerto Rico vs Serbia - Preview & Prediction
Puerto Rico vs Serbia start time: Monday 28th August, 1pm (GMT+1).
Location: Puerto Rico vs Serbia will be played at the Araneta Coliseum, Philippines.
After a somewhat nervy debut vs South Sudan, Puerto Rico will face Serbia in their 2nd outing at the 2023 FIBA World Cup conscious their future will probably still be in their hands as they face off China in their final game on Wednesday. However, it will be interesting to see if Waters and his teammates can ask Serbia some questions. The Eagles are still a formidable unit even without NBA Champion Nikola Jokic, and are looking to improve on their 2019 World Cup’s result, a defeat to future runner-ups Argentina.
Despite its illustrious absences, Serbia are still expected to pick up their 2nd win against Puerto Rico thanks to their depth and quality, starting from Hawks forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, team captain and technical leader of this Serbian team.
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Group C FIBA World Cup Day 4 Preview
New Zealand vs Jordan - Preview & Prediction
New Zealand vs Jordan start time: Monday 28th August, 9:45 AM (GMT+1).
Location: New Zealand vs Jordan will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines.
The Tall Blacks were a tough test for Team USA in their 2023 FIBA World Cup debut, as they led by as much as 10 points before suffering defeat thanks to a US comeback led by Paolo Banchero. It didn’t go much better for Jordan, as the 33rd-ranked team in the world was quite easily seen off by a strong Greece side.
Both teams are looking to rebound as they face off in a match that might be crucial for their Olympic Games qualification hopes. Although New Zealand are the favorites, Jordan might be able to produce an upset if they’re able to channel their offense through former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
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Greece vs Team USA - Preview & Prediction
Greece vs Team USA start time: Monday 28th August, 9:45 AM (GMT+1).
Location: New Zealand vs Jordan will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines.
Group C will be closed by the big match, seeing two of the top-10 ranked basketball nations in the world face each other. The two teams haven’t faced each other on the international stage since 2006, when Greece shocked the world by beating Team USA. More recently, Steve Kerr’s rejuvenated team rolled over Greece in an exhibition match played on August 18.
Greece will be looking to repeat an impressive team performance as they dismantled Jordan, and they will turn to their experience as the likes of Walkup, Papagiannis, and Papanikolau try to take on Team USA. Steve Kerr’s team come as obvious favorites, and it will be interesting to see what role will Paolo Banchero play after his clinic against New Zealand.
We still expect Team USA to come on top of this contest.
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Group F FIBA World Cup Day 4 Preview
Venezuela vs Cape Verde - Preview & Prediction
New Zealand vs Jordan start time: Monday 28th August, 9:00 AM (GMT+1).
Location: Venezuela vs Cape Verde will be played at the Okinawa Arena, Japan.
After shocking the world stage with a 2-point lead and an incredible 9 triples during the first quarter of their debut vs Luka Doncic’s Slovenia, Venezuela fell short but held their own against a superior team. Cape Verde on the other hand will be looking for more, after they lost the first game in their historic first international tournament. Additionally, Cape Verde will be looking to win to boost their chances of reaching the Paris Olympics as the best African team.
A nervous game is to be expected as both teams will try to get off the mark, with Venezuela hoping to build up on an inspiring first quarter vs Slovenia, and Cape Verde building on Edy Tavares’ skill.
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Georgia vs Slovenia - Preview & Prediction
Georgia vs Slovenia start time: Monday 28th August, 12:30 PM (GMT+1).
Location: Georgia vs Slovenia will be played at the Okinawa Arena, Japan.
Both Georgia and Slovenia come to their second match fresh off successful debuts, and will be looking to solidify their place at the top of Group F. Slovenia will want to start strong as the first quarter vs Venezuela reminded Doncic and his teammates that anything can happen in the World Cup, and Luka will ensure Tobey and Nikolic are in rhythm from tipoff. The Georgians come with the experience of Sanadze and Shengelia, and will ensure Slovenia doesn’t have it easy against them.
Slovenia should still come off victorious thanks to their superstar, but it will be an interesting game to see if Slovenia is ready to run away with the top spot in Group F.
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Group G FIBA World Cup Day 4 Preview
Côte D’Ivoire vs Iran - Preview & Prediction
Côte D’Ivoire vs Iran start time: Monday 28th August, 10:45 AM (GMT+1).
Location: Venezuela vs Cape Verde will be played at the Indonesia Arena, Indonesia.
Both Côte d’Ivoire and Iran were on the receiving end of blowout losses against Spain and Brazil respectively, hence they’ll be looking to bounce back when they face off at the Indonesia Arena. While the Africans’ offense looked sluggish against a stacked Spain team, their defense forced Spain to 18 turnovers. If Iran wants to have a chance at winning, they will need to look at defending way better than they did against Brazil. With Hamed Haddadi not available for more than 15 minutes per game due to load management, Iran will need to find many answers, very fast.
This is why we predict Côte d’Ivoire to come out on top of a tight game.
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Brazil vs Spain - Preview & Prediction
Brazil vs Spain start time: Monday 28th August, 2:30 PM (GMT+1).
Location: Brazil vs Spain will be played at the Indonesia Arena, Indonesia.
Both Spain and Brazil approach their face-off with optimism as they beat Côte D’Ivoire and Iran convincingly. Brazil and Spain have faced off 9 times before, with La Roja coming on top 7 of these times on the international stage. To make matters worse, Brazil have lost their star playmaker Raul Neto to injury and will have to do without him.
Spain will be looking to retain their status at the top of group F, Brazil will be asking questions the Spaniards will be looking to answer in their first real test.
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