Can anyone beat the Americans?
Will the El Matador lead one of the great upsets?
What about the Aussies?
BetDeluxe breaks down the best chances at this year’s FIBA World Cup.
USA
$1.72
Stacked, stacked, and stacked.
Despite Spain winning the 2019 World Cup, the market certainly hasn’t missed the Americans as they look to reclaim their throne with far and away the most talented roster in the tournament.
Much like the Steph Curry and James Harden-led team that won their last World Cup in 2014, this year’s squad features some of the most talented rising stars in the NBA, including Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Paolo Banchero (Magic), Jalen Brunson (Knicks) and Jaren Jackson Jr (Grizzlies).
Like always, it will come down to how seriously the USA takes their competition, but signs are optimistic after the group stage against NZ (99-72), Greece (109-81) and Jordan (110-62).
Canada
$5.00
Ranked just 15 in the world, Canada looms as one of the biggest threats to the all-conquering American team.
Although NBA champion Jamal Murray (Nuggets) ruled himself out of the tournament, they still boast high-level talent in the form of Shae Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Kelly Olynyk (Jazz) and the enforcer Dillon Brooks (Rockets).
Gilgeous-Alexander is the key after elevating his game to another level in the most recent NBA season with 31.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds.
While Group H was considered one of the toughest, Coach Jordi Fernandez has already led the Canadians to three wins against France (95-65), Latvia (101-75), and Lebanon (128-73) with the most points (324) of any nation.
Slovenia
$20.00
At $20, why not have a punt at the Luca Doncic-led Slovenia?
If there’s one player in the entire World Cup who can lift his side to a miraculous victory, it’s the Dallas Mavericks’ El Matador.
The superstar guard has already led his team to three victories in the group stage, with individual averages of 30 points, 7 assists and 8 rebounds.
Doncic recently led Slovenia to fourth place in the Olympics, while they were also crowned champions of EuroBasket in 2017.
This is not a team to sleep on, especially with our man Luka at the helm.
Australia
$12.00
The Ashes, Netball World Cup, the Matildas’ semi-final run – can the Boomers continue the incredible form of our national teams?
Ranked third in the world, the Aussies entered the World Cup with a certain level of expectation based on their fourth-placed finish in 2019 and their bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Patty Mills is once again leading the team alongside fellow NBA stars Josh Giddey (Thunder), Joe Ingles (Magic), Matisse Thybulle (Trail Blazers) and Josh Green (Mavericks). Not to mention the reigning NBL MVP, Xavier Cooks (Wizards).
The Aussies are still third favourites in the market at $12, with two wins from their three group matches.
They will need to improve on their performance against Germany (82-85 loss), but there’s no doubt that Patty Mills is the man to rally the troops.
