Greece vs USA Prediction & Betting Tips - Basketball World Cup

Prediction published on 27/08/2023, 02:29  by Joseph King | Modified on 27/08/2023 at 02:30 in Basketball World Cup Predictions

Group C in the FIBA World Cup sees competition favorites and first-place USA taking on second-place Greece for the second group stage game. Both teams are well-poised for the knockout stage after each securing wins in their first games. The winner of this encounter will likely go on to finish top of the group. The United States face off against Jordan in their final group stage match while Greece will face New Zealand, games they are both expected to comfortably win.

The United States were able to record a rather comfortable 99-72 win over New Zealand in their first group stage game. Led by Paolo Banchero’s 21 points, team USA was able to overcome a slow start and pull away in the second half. However, it should be noted that a slow start for this United States team still meant that they were up nine points at halftime. Anthony Edwards, who many are tipping for a monster tournament, dropped 14 points while Austin Reaves provided a spark off the bench with 12 points and six assists. The victory was the sixth in a row for the Stars and Stripes. One of those six victories came against Greece when the two faced off for a pre-tournament friendly. 

Greece, without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, managed to cruise to a 92-71 win over Jordan in their tournament opening match. It was a much-needed victory for the Official Beloved, who had previously lost four in a row in the build up to the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Greece did play against top competition in those friendly fixtures as the losses came at the hands of the United States, Serbia, Italy and Germany – all top 11 FIBA ranked teams. Olympiakos guard Giannoulis Larentzakis led the way with 19 points off the bench as Greece would finish the game with an impressive 51.5% shooting from the field.