Greece vs New Zealand Prediction & Betting Tips - Basketball World Cup

Prediction published on 29/08/2023, 06:47  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/08/2023 at 07:47 in Basketball World Cup Predictions

Greece can beat New Zealand to ensure qualification for round two of the Basketball World Cup. The Greeks are second behind the USA in Group C but on the same number of points as their opponents. Greece began this group with a 91-72 win over Jordan who have lost both their matches and already been eliminated. The European side won the first two quarters to take a 13 point lead but Jordan won the next by seven points. Greece put an end to the comeback though and ran out 19 point winners. Larentzakis top scored with 19 points for the Greeks. It was expected to be tougher in their next match as they took on the USA. That proved to be the case with the Americans winning each of the quarters by at least four points and won 109-81. Greece have only played New Zealand twice before and won on both occasions. It's the second succesIve World Cup in which the two have met and four years ago, Greece won by six points.

New Zealand have had a similar path to this final group match. They started off with a match against the Americans who are the favorites to win this World Cup. They beat New Zealand by 27 points, though only won the first quarter by a single point. They needed to get a win over Jordan to keep their qualification hopes alive but it proved to be a tough match for them. They led by nine points after the first two quarters but Jordan rallied in the second half to take the match into over time. New Zealand regained the lead and won 95-87, only conceding two points in over time. Their top scorer was Izayah Le'afa with 23 points. We back Greece to win this and be ahead at both half and full time.