FIBA World Cup Game Day 6 Review & Game Recaps

 

• Jovic and Bogdanovic shine as Serbia fend off South Sudan to go 3-0 in Group B 
• Georgia clinch 2nd place as they edge Venezuela in low-scoring affair 
• Edwards stars as USA cruise to 3-0 in blowout against Jordan 
• Brazil clinch 2nd place in Group G with signature Yago double double 

 

Aug 30, 2023 

Missed the action today? Watch the Courtside1891 Daily Roundup for Game Day 6, with highlights from each and every game.

Final spots for Second Round up for grabs on Day 6 as groups B, C, F and G come to an end 

 
FIBA World Cup Group B Recap 

Serbia vs South Sudan 83-115 Game Recap 

Serbia keeps looking one of the most solid teams despite illustrious absences in this 2023 FIBA World Cup as they easily dismantle a previously impressive South Sudan side behind a perfect night from Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic, scoring a team-high 25 points making each of his 9 attempts from the field, while Bogdan Bogdanovic powered the Eagles’ offense with 23 and 9 dimes. All while the Serbian defense managed to keep Carlik Jones (28 ppg before today) to three points only in a frustrating afternoon in Manila. 

South Sudan will now have to hope for China to win against Puerto Rico by fewer than 34 points to progress to the next stage, while Serbia look like a strong unit coming into the second round undefeated. 

 

 

China vs Puerto Rico Game Recap 

Puerto Rico sends China home winless and punch their tickets to the 2nd round of the FIBA World Cup 2023 behind Waters’22 points and 6 dimes and Romero’s 18+10 double-double. Defense continues to be the main problem of this China team that brought their most established player, Kyle Anderson, from the bench today. Puerto Rico's strong start took them to a comfortable 15-point lead at halftime, before China’s attempt at a comeback in the third quarter powered by Zhao and Hu, bringing China back in the game and only down 9 points at the start of the fourth quarter. 

The Puerto Ricans, however, came back onto the court determined to finish the job and smoothly took back control of the game. Los Gallos now join Serbia, Dominican Republic, and Italy in a wide-open and unpredictable Group I. 

 

FIBA World Cup Group C Recap

USA vs Jordan 110-62 Game Recap 

Ant-man Anthony Edwards took the limelight in Team USA’s cruising victory against already out of contention Jordan. The Wolves playmaker fully showcased his silky handles and shot creation with 22 points, 8 boards, and 4 assists during a game that was never close. 

13 of Edwards’ points came in the first quarter as Team USA pulled away with a swift 20-4 run, and the Americans allowed themselves a game in full cruise control, getting their third win without being seriously tested. Team USA, Lithuania, Montenegro, and the winner of Greece vs New Zealand will form a competitive Group K in the Second Round. 

 

Greece vs New Zealand 83-74 Game Recap 

In a remake of the 2019 FIBA World Cup group stage, Greece start slow as the Tall Blacks find themselves ahead by 11 points at the halfway point, courtesy of Ili and Te Rangi, combining for a total of 46 points and 7/12 from behind the ark. Greece struggle to find the rhythm in offense and rely on Papapetrou and Larentzakis to get things going.  

After a poor first half, the Hellenics tighten things up in defense, allowing only 31 points in the second half and getting within touching distance by the end of the 3rd quarter, before running away with the game in a statement fourth quarter, during which they outscored the Tall Blacks 33-20. Despite their offensive struggles, New Zealand are in the game until the last minute before Delany gets called on a travelling violation. Greece finish the job off with some clutch free throws and eliminate a determined New Zealand side from contention. Greece will follow Team USA and join Lithuania and Montenegro in what looks like a seriously competitive Second Round group. 

 

FIBA World Cup Group F Recap 

Georgia vs Venezuela 70-59  Game Recap 

Shengelia powers Georgia to shut down Venezuela and clinch 2nd place in Group F with low-scoring game, qualifying for the second round in their first ever World Cup run. Their 2nd round group will include Germany and Australia. 

Behind Toko Shengelia’s 25 points, the Crusaders sealed the deal by only allowing Venezuela to score 4 points in the 2nd quarter, entering the second half with a comfortable 19-point cushion. Colmenares tried to rally the Latin American nation in the third quarter, as Venezuela showed up determined to go out with their heads held high in the second half, but it was too little too late. Georgia will now wait for Doncic & co to play Cape Verde to see if their slim chances of qualifying first will materialize. 

Slovenia vs Cape Verde Game Recap 

Cape Verde kept within touching distance for the first two quarters, being able to make Luka Doncic unusually struggle from the field (5/17 for the Dallas Mavericks star). Luka decided to influence the game with his playmaking as he dished out 9 dimes, enabling Prepelic to get 18 points off the bench, while Prepelic and Nikolic picked up 11 each to round off a solid team performance from the Slovenians. Gomes tried to keep the Blue Sharks in the game, but a Edy Tavares struggled in the paint with 4/13 from the field, meaning Slovenia was able to escape with a 24-17 4th quarter. 

Luka and Co will advance undefeated to the Second Round together with Georgia, facing off against Australia and Germany, ready to ask questions to the Mavs superstar. 

 

FIBA World Cup Group G Recap 

Brazil vs Cote D’Ivoire 77-89 Game Recap 

Brazil hold off Cote D’Ivoire’s comeback attempt behind Yago Santos’ 24 points and 11 assists double-double in a game much closer than many expected at the Indonesia Arena. It’s Les Elephants that come away with a short-lived first quarter lead amidst struggles from Brazil star player Bruno Caboclo. The Carioca come back in the 2nd quarter, but the game is close as we enter the fourth quarter, as Brazil maintain a 9-point lead behind Yago Santos and Tim Soares’ offense. 

The Ivorians are held scoreless for the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter, but get dangerously close after Brazil head coach Gustavo Conti is called for a technical foul, Fofana makes a three, and Dally scores both free throws after the fifth foul gets called on Meindl. The game is suddenly within grasp for Cote D’Ivoire at 71-74, but three pointers for Caboclo and De Paula bring Brazil to a double-digit game. Brazil will join Canada, Spain and Latvia in the 2nd round, while Les Éléphants will play classification games for a chance at a Paris Olympics spot. 

 

Iran vs Spain 65-85 Game Recap 

The Hernangomez brothers power Spain to their third consecutive win at the 2023 FIBA World Cup as they edge Iran 85-65. The Persians were in the game for the first quarter behind Amini’s 19 points with 7/12 from the field and an effective 20-minute cameo from Hamed Haddadi, with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 7 dimes to continue his load management. La ÑBA ran away with the game in the 2nd and 3rd quarters behind the Hernangomez’s offensive quality and Aldama’s 11 and 8 from the bench.  

The Spaniards will join a fascinating Group L together with Canada, Latvia, and Brazil. 

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