Betking_ng_FIBA-Basketball-World-Cup_Kamsy (2).jpg

We’re now three games away from crowning the World Champions in basketball, something we believe Noah Lyles is eagerly looking forward to. The United States will take on Germany in what may be their most challenging match of the tournament, while their neighbors, Canada, will face Serbia. With both the USA and Canada heavily favored in their respective matchups, the possibility of an all-North American final is on the horizon. In this piece, we will provide a preview of both games, explore the potential showdown between the neighboring American teams, and delve into a selection of enticing betting offers with the best odds for our online sports betting community. 

 

**Semi-Final 1: United States vs. Germany**  

USA cruised past Italy in the quarter-final with a commanding 100-63 win. However, that was a rare instance where the scoreline didn’t tell the complete story. The American starters had difficulties on the offensive front, notably with star player Anthony Edwards, who managed a mere 3 points. Jaren Jackson Jr., the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, found himself in early foul trouble for the second consecutive game, limiting him to just 2 points and 3 rebounds. The Americans also exhibited carelessness with the ball, tallying 19 turnovers, which marked their joint-highest turnover count in the tournament. 

The saving grace for the USA came from Mikal Bridges and their bench players, particularly in terms of offensive output. Bridges emerged as the standout performer, contributing a game-high 24 points - in comparison, the other four starters combined for only 19 points. Off the bench, Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton made significant contributions with 12 and 18 points, respectively, while Paolo Banchero and Brandon Ingram chipped in with 8 points apiece. Despite not having their top-tier players available and instead opting for a relatively young squad, the USA showcased their superior talent and depth, which was evident in this win. 

The Germans outlasted a tough Latvia side 81-79, and can count themselves lucky to be in the semis. Star Point Guard, Dennis Schröder had an abysmal shooting night, going 4-26 from the field after missing his first 12 shots. He failed to put the game to bed in the final seconds, and was fortunate Davis Bertans didn’t make him pay for his mistake following a missed buzzer beater attempt from 3-point range that coulid have given Latvia the win. In this win over Latvia, the Germans’ bench outscored the Latvians’ 44-6; proof that they posses depth just as the Americans. In fact, in an exhibition game against the USA just before the tournament, the Germans held a 16 point lead at a stage before a late-game collapse. They remain the only undefeated team in the competition, having triumphed over Australia, Japan, Finland, Georgia, Slovenia, and, notably, Latvia. This unblemished record will boost their confidence as they approach Friday.  

Several intriguing matchups are expected, notably in the Point Guard position featuring Jalen Brunson (USA) and Dennis Schröder (Germany). However, the most captivating battle is likely to unfold in the Front Court, where Jaren Jackson Jr. will face off against multiple imposing German big men, including Daniel Theis, Johannes Voigtmann, and Johannes Thiemann.  

Our bet prediction leans towards a United States victory, albeit a closely contested one. The -10.5 point spread (indicating that the USA is favored to win by 11 or more points) appears somewhat disrespectful to the Germans. For the high odds it has, there’s value in selecting the Americans not to cover that spread. 

**Betting Tips:**

• USA to win 

• Over 179.5 Points 

• Handicap (-10.5) - Germany 

Semi-Final 2: Serbia vs. Canada 

This will be Canada’s first ever World Cup semi-final, and this achievement can be attributed largely to the exceptional performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder Point Guard has arguably been the tournament’s best player. His remarkable feat of scoring 30 or more points in his last two games puts him on the brink of matching the records held by Luis Scola, Oscar Schmidt, and Antonello Riva if he achieves another 30-point game on Friday. Canada’s outstanding offense is evident as they have crossed the 100-point mark in three games during this tournament. Their quarter-final victory over Slovenia had a stroke of luck with Luka Dončić’s ejection, but perhaps, with a 15-point lead, the Canadians had effectively sealed the game.  

In similar fashion, Bogdan Bogdanović has been an outstanding player, and is ranked third in efficiency rating at this World Cup, only behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić. However, there’s more to this Serbian team than Bogdanović as Nikola Jovic is also a problem down the wings, while Point Guard Stefan Jovic and big man, Nikola Milutinov are veterans with a wealth of World Cup experience and can cause the Canadians some damage. The Serbians are an offensive juggernaut, averaging an impressive 130.2 points per 100 possessions, setting the stage for what promises to be a high-scoring contest. 


The matchup between Kelly Olynyk and Nikola Milutinov will be an epic battle, while Dillon Brooks is expected to continue his exceptional defensive performance. However, as expected, the outcome of this game will largely hinge on the performance of Bogdan Bogdanović and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Despite being standout players for their respective teams, they haven’t relied on individual heroics. Instead, they have excelled by elevating the overall performance of their teammates. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the Canadian squad possesses a wealth of talent, and their recent performance against Slovenia showed just how much they have grown and improved as a cohesive unit. 
 

**Betting Tips:** 

• Canada to win 

• Over 177.5 Points 

**Potential All North American Final**  

If Canada and the United States indeed secure victories, as many expect, it would set the stage for the very first all-North American basketball final at the World Cup. Notably, among the 13 Canadian players, eight ply their trade in the USA, fostering a sense of familiarity when they face off.  

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned his first NBA All-Star selection this year and secured a spot in the All-NBA First Team, is making a case as one of the planet’s best players. The American team will undoubtedly keep a close watch on his performance. The matchup would also feature Dillon Brooks (Canada) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (USA), who were teammates at the Memphis Grizzlies until this summer when Brooks joined the Houston Rockets in Free Agency. Both are standout defenders, and the intensity they would bring to a potential final showdown is truly exciting. Nevertheless, it’s impossible to overlook the remarkable talent that the United States possesses, and our bet of the day is for them to go all the way. 

• FIBA World Cup Winner: United States

[Register on BetKing](https://m.betking.com/account/registration) and start getting value for your money by betting on live matches today. 

With the U.S.A knocked out of FIBA by Lithuania, who can win it all? Read our expert betting tips to find out & enjoy our 300% acca bonus when you bet!

Betting Tips