New Zealand vs. Egypt 2023 FIBA World Cup Odds and Preview

By Jeff Stinger • September 1, 2023

The first round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup officially ended. The intensity ramps up as basketball fans get another treat over the next few weeks of the competition. New Zealand’s men’s national basketball team suffered its third loss. The Tall Blacks have a shot at finishing the tournament on a high note as they line up as favorites against Egypt this Saturday. Their African opponents are on a high after a victory over Jordan, which marks a second consecutive victory after picking one up against Mexico. The margins are close between both sides, which should make this an intriguing pairing for basketball fans and bettors.

New Zealand vs. Egypt 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Game Info

"Sweat more in practice, bleed less in war."
– Spartan warrior saying

@trent.schwarz#FIBAWC #WinForNewZealand pic.twitter.com/Q3qTHSlRKo
— Tall Blacks (@TallBlacks) August 28, 2023

When: Saturday, September 2, 2023, 4:00 AM ET
Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines
Live Stream: ESPN+
2023 FIBA World Cup Betting Odds: USA New Zealand (-5.5) / Egypt (+5.5)

Why Bet on New Zealand?

New Zealand is the favored team to win this clash. Despite dropping three games leading up to Saturday’s game, they record better figures on paper. Their close contest against Mexico would have displayed different results if it weren’t for erratic three-point shooting. By the end of the game, they were 46.3% from the field and 17 of 41 from deep. New Zealand also missed seven of 28 free throws, which could have narrowed down the scoreline.

Nevertheless, New Zealand displayed some impressive performances despite losses to Greece and Team USA. Star player Shea Ili has a 27-point game to his name and averaged 18.0 points per game before their loss to the South American side. He is also the current assists leader with 7.7 per game. But, it was Reuben Te Rangi who headlined the New Zealand lineup with 32 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Finn Delany provided him some offensive support with 19 points, three boards, and an assist, while Ili did rack up a double-double with 18 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds.

Why Bet on Egypt?

The Egyptian battled the Jordans for a close contest over 40 minutes of play. Despite being gassed on both ends of the floor, the game stayed neck and neck until the final minutes. Egypt ended on top to complete a 26-point victory, which sends the nation’s record to 2-2- and keeps them in the running for automatic qualification as the best African team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Egypt now has a chance to improve their record at the end of the competition. Their results are impressive for a squad that has not won a World Cup game since 1994. That alone is a successful run for head coach Roy Rana and the rest of his players. They will monitor South Sudan too, as the two are frontrunners to win automatic qualification to Paris next year.

If the Arab Republic can replicate its previous performance that features 47.0% shooting from the field, we might see closely contested numbers throughout the four quarters. Their rebounding presence was prominent against Jordan with 46 boards, including 29 defensive and 17 offensive rebounds. Ultimately, Egypt has a squad not to be underestimated.

New Zealand vs. Egypt Expert Betting Prediction

This should be a fairly competitive matchup with how hungry both sides are for a win. But, the reality is that there are lapses that need addressing to yield the best results. New Zealand entered the contest as the favorite, but Egypt is on their heels and is ready to cover the spread and even snatch this one away from the Kiwis. If the Egyptians can find another gear in terms of depth and consistency, expect the challengers to make it close at points of the game. But ultimately, the Oceania nation gets the nod before tip-off.

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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.