Italy vs. USA 2023 FIBA World Cup Odds and Preview

By Jeff Stinger • September 4, 2023

Team USA’s unbeaten streak at the 2023 FIBA World Cup ended on Sunday with a six-point defeat to Lithuania in the final second-round game. Anthony Edwards’ 35-point performance wasn’t enough to faze the veteran European side that controlled the glass and shot extremely well from downtown. Despite the loss, the Americans qualify for the quarterfinals, where they take on Italy on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the Italians look solid with three consecutive wins behind them. Their latest victory came by way of a 16-point victory versus Puerto Rico. This win should give Gli Azzurri momentum ahead of their clash with one of the tournament favorites. With that, let’s check out the important stats of Tuesday’s contest at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines.

Italy vs. USA 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Game Info

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When: Tuesday, September 5, 2023, 4:00 AM ET
Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines
Live Stream: ESPN+
2023 FIBA World Cup Betting Odds: USA Italy (+16.0) / USA (-16.0)

Why Bet on Italy?

Italy’s 4-1 record features wins over Angola and the Philippines in the group stage. The Europeans lost to the Dominican Republic, but rebounded with a win over Serbia and eventually secured a place in the quarter-finals with a strong performance over Puerto Rico.

Simone Fontecchio cements his role as the team’s leader. He leads the squad in scoring and is the second-best rebounder now. He shares the floor with the duo of Stefano Tonut and Marco Spissu who hold the fort in both guard positions, both logging over 11 points per game. What may concern this team is their shaky three-point shooting. Their figures just sit above 31% earlier in the tournament, which is sub-par considering their sharpshooter nature from deep.

Italy books a date with the top favorite of the competition. Their outstanding performance in the second phase brings them to this stage. Ultimately, their opponents will bring out the best in the team. If they want to bring this one home, the only way to win is if they improve their shooting numbers. We’ve seen the Americans struggle in rebounding, but Italy often plays lineups that feature all five outside shooters. It presents a tricky situation for the Gianmarco Pozzecco-led team.

Why Bet on Team USA?

The USA rode a hot streak before meeting with Lithuania. The big names of basketball claimed four straight wins over New Zealand, Greece, Jordan, and Montenegro, respectively. However, the Americans bowed down after a stunning upset to Lithuania. Nevertheless, their numbers were enough to qualify for the last eight despite dropping the ball in the second round.

Steve Kerr and his team unusually started the game against Lithuania. Their defense was not 100% and allowed the Lithuanians to get hot and pull away with a substantial lead. The Europeans held onto this lead with flying colors. Minnesota Timberwolves starter Anthony Edwards nearly carried his team back in front, but he needed more support from his teammates. Perhaps the pressing issue for Team USA in the past two games was rebounding. Montenegro outrebounded them by nearly 20 boards, and Lithuania by 16.

If Team USA can at least cover the rebounding aspect of the game, the rest wouldn’t be a problem for this youthful and energetic team. The Italians don’t have a dominant player in the paint like Montenegro and Lithuania presented. The USA team can lock in on all Italian players one-on-one. As favorites, we expect the Americans to force better results than their previous match.

Italy vs. USA Expert Betting Prediction

It would be ideal for the Italians to face an easier opponent after topping their group, but they have to get past a strong American side. Team USA appears to be stronger than the Europeans on paper. However, we’ve seen Steve Kerr and his crew under much stress against Lithuania. What Italy brings to the table is a combination of teamwork, chemistry, and a charismatic leader, which are pivotal in international basketball. Team USA has the upper hand when viewing the odds and is expected to play aggressively from the get-go. But, if Italy avoids error and their approach is right, covering the spread and even a shot at a tight victory is possible.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2023-24 FIBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online crypto sportsbook.