2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group Odds

• United States has won the last two World Championships
• Canada, USA only rosters to feature at least 12 NBA players
• Identifying the best bets to win each group

As you read this, another American basketball star is dropping from the ranks of the attendees for the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

With Damian Lillard and Kevin Love opting out of the Red, White and Blue, there’s only one all-NBA player still on the roster (Kemba Walker) and two players who were All-Stars last year (Kyle Lowry and Khris Middleton).

And in all likelihood, it probably won’t even matter.

why *should* anyone want to play in the fiba world cup? #highnoon pic.twitter.com/FC07Qq7SeK

— bomani (@bomani_jones) July 23, 2019

Five years removed from the last go ’round, and FIBA’s made some changes to spice up the event. The first was holding off the event for a year, to get off the same four-year path of the FIFA World Cup, though changing the name to sound just as all-world as the soccer spectacle.

There are now 32 teams, up from 24. What does all this mean? More betting chances for you.

Let’s look at each group, and find out who you should be targeting in China come the end of August.

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group A Odds

*Odds taken 24/07/19.

Analysis: Right off the bat, and we’re looking at an up-for-grabs group. Poland did well to finish top-three in their Euro pool play to secure a berth, finishing 8-4, but they’re going up against China, with a fan base that is actually loco for basketball. Venezuela finished second in their group at 9-3 in the Americas, including a win against eventual group winner Canada.

They were also crushed by 35 by the same Canadians – and both those rosters featured just one NBA player: Joel Anthony. (I’m not kidding).

The Pick: China (+150)

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group B Odds

Analysis: One of the elite international programs around, Argentina used to be powered by legend Manu Ginobili, with the trusted contributions of Andrés Nocioni and Luis Scola. That wave of Argentine hoops is over, but the program remains a strong one, ranked fifth in the world.

They finished second in their group to the Americans, and even beat them (with Scola in the lineup), though that was a roster devoid of NBA talent.

The Pick: Argentina (-120)

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group C Odds

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group D Odds

Analysis: Serbia finished third in their group at the Euro qualifiers, trailing Greece and Germany. But that was without all-world center Nikola Jokic, who is expected to be joining his squad for FIBA. the only other player on the roster with NBA experience is Milos Teodosic, who had a cup of coffee with the Clippers.

While that’s settled, take a guess at who might be the feistiest country in the group?

The Pick: Serbia (-600)

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group E Odds

Analysis: Let’s not overthink this one. Even rotational NBA talent here can win the group stage for the Americans. It will be interesting, however, to see what happens when they are matched up against teams that have played together for longer periods of time, and not mashed together in a short training camp.

.@usabasketball you know what to do pic.twitter.com/7r6ju1dIVA

— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 23, 2019

Judging from the USA camp roster, the Americans can build on a backcourt of Kemba and Donovan Mitchell. Boston’s young wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum should be able to contribute, and newly minted NBA champion Kyle Lowry can add the dirty work to the roster.

Don’t worry about the lack of dead-eye shooting or go-to guy just yet, but that could be a problem down the road.

The Pick: United States (-10000)

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group F Odds

Analysis: Assuming Giannis Antetokounmpo does in fact suit up for Greece, the reigning MVP is easily the most talented player in the group, and likely the entire tournament.

The eighth-ranked team in FIBA is going to be able to make some noise, thanks to their alien-like star. If his teammates can make enough shots as he drives into a packed paint, Giannis will be mashing all tournament.

The Pick: Greece (-325)

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group G Odds

Analysis: It’s still to be determined what NBA players will be suiting it up for France this summer, the third-ranked nation in FIBA. Players in their prime like reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert would be nice, as would wing Evan Fournier. Perhaps they dust off Tony Parker and try to revive what’s left of Nicolas Batum’s aging body.

Still, it probably won’t matter in Group G. I’d like to think Germany can compete, but unless 2007 Dirk Nowitzki is walking through that door, this one’s a wrap.

The Pick: France (-350)

2019 FIBA World Cup – Group H Odds

Analysis: If there’s a Group of Death, it’s Group H. Canada features a roster chock-full of NBA players, but they’re not exactly stars, unless you count budding Knicks’ draft pick RJ Barrett, who is the most talented player on the team.

Barrett in, but no Wiggins among FIBA World Cup invites. MORE: https://t.co/AW0sMPUeX9 pic.twitter.com/hcpJuSrm9V

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 16, 2019

He’ll be helped out nicely by young Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray, and there are lots of good role players here, including Tristan Thompson and Kelly Olynyk. Picking the Aussies as the favorites is a peculiar one here, especially since Ben Simmons has confirmed he won’t be in China. That leaves their team leaning on Matthew Dellavedova, Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and (if healthy) Dante Exum.

And we haven’t even gotten to Lithuania, sixth in the FIBA rankings, who won their Euro pool with just one loss in 12 games, and could be adding Domantus Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas to beef up their front court.

The Pick: Lithuania (+200)