Team USA begins group play with what should be a comfortable win over New Zealand during Saturday's FIBA World Cup matchup. Read on for our USA vs. New Zealand prediction based on the best FIBA World Cup odds.
After a handful of tune-up games earlier this month, Team USA is ready to begin its quest for a FIBA World Cup championship. USA is the betting favorite based on the latest championship odds but is coming off a scare in a 99-91 win over Germany last time out. The Germans led for 33 of the game's 40 minutes before Anthony Edwards saved the day with a 34-point performance.
USA shouldn't have any sort of scare in Saturday's Group C opener against New Zealand, which doesn't have a single NBA player on its roster. The best sports betting apps make USA a 35-point favorite in a game that will likely be decided before any of us finish our firs t cup of coffee.
Here is our best USA vs. New Zealand prediction for Saturday's FIBA World Cup matchup (odds via our
best NBA betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
USA vs. New Zealand prediction: FIBA World Cup
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There is a very real chance I'm never allowed to write another FIBA preview for Sportsbook Review after picking against Canada in my Canada vs. France best bet. So, allow me to take the time to gas up my guy, Austin Reaves, as my swan song.
In all seriousness, the world is finding out that the Los Angels Lakers guard is indeed good at basketball. And the hoops community is better for it.
Re aves averaged 11.4 points per game during Team USA's five pre-tournament exhibitions, saving his best performance for last. Reaves scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half in a come-from-behind win over Germany, in which head coach Steve Kerr opted to play Reaves the final 12:38 of the game.
“He fits in wherever we put him; that's the beauty of Austin,” Kerr told reporters after a recent World Cup scrimmage. “He's a connector. He's a hell of a basketball player. He's physical, shoots and passes it. Just so poised out there all the time. He's a guy who enhances any lineup that he plays with.”
Reaves won't be usurping some talented NBA players in the starting lineup in this event, but his basketball IQ is going to lead to more minutes than anyone expected. No moment is too big for him, either, as he proved during this recent run to the Western Conference Finals while playing alongside LeBr on James and Anthony Davis.
In a game that projects to be a blowout, don't be surprised if Reaves gets an extended run in the second half and makes the most of it. His scoring prop is set at 8.5 at FanDuel, with the Over juiced to -130, but we prefer to pay the -102 vig on Reaves to finish in double figures.
Whether this bet gets home or not, credit to FanDuel for being the only major sportsbook to offer player props for this game.
USA vs. New Zealand best odds
| Lines | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spread | New Zealand +35 | New Zealand +35.5 (-122) | New Zealand +35.5 (-110) | New Zealand +34 (-115) | New Zealand +36.5 (-110) |
| Total | 186 | 186.5 | 186.5 | 186.5 | 185.5 |
Because player props are only available at one of our best sports betting apps, I'm going to compare the main markets for this game instead. It's interesting to see the differing opinions on the spread, with bet365 setting the line as high as 36.5 and Caesars listing a line a low as 34.
The reason why this is significant is because I actually would take the points with New Zealand, if forced to pick a main market. Getting the extra 2.5 points might not end up mattering, but there is a chance that USA calls off the dogs before the margin gets to 40.
The total is a pass for me, but the high number bodes well for a reserve guard scoring 10 points.
USA vs. New Zealand odds analysis
The latest spread at the best sports betting sites is trading between 34 and 36.5, a dif ference that could end up mattering in a blowout.
The total is sitting at 186.5, which is the highest mark among all group stage openers.
USA vs. New Zealand game info
- When: Saturday, Aug. 26, 8:40 a.m. ET
- Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines
- How to watch: ESPN2
USA-New Zealand pick made 08/24/2023 at 9:50 a.m. ET.
NBA betting odds pages
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| NBA Finals MVP Odds | NBA Coach of the Year Odds | FIBA World Cup Odds |
| NBA Play-In Tournament Odds |
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Related pages
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