Serbia vs. China 2023 FIBA World Cup Odds and Preview

By Jeff Stinger • August 24, 2023

Serbia and China showcase their capabilities in the first batch of Group C games. China, at times, struggled to establish dominance on the international stage, but could the advantage of playing in a more comfortable environment shift momentum in their favor? Well, we’re about to see the Asian powerhouse test its skills against a proven European national team in Serbia.

The Serbians are easy dark horse candidates to win the entire tournament. Despite missing a few key players, there’s enough firepower within Svetislav Pescic’s team to outplay heavy hitters. Meanwhile, China’s struggle for a few years even at the continental level is not a great sign, but the introduction of Kyle Anderson presents better opportunities as they try to utilize the NBA veteran. Let’s go over this weekend’s Serbia vs. China clash and its key points.

Serbia vs. China 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Game Info

With Jokic out, Bogdan Bogdanović ready to be Serbia's leader, by @jonashdcd #ReadMore >> https://t.co/AYW3X9erQ4 #FIBAWC #WinForSerbia pic.twitter.com/SIgQZBzJMW
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) August 24, 2023

When: Saturday, August 26, 2023, 8:00 AM ET
Where: Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines
Live Stream: ESPN+
2023 FIBA World Cup Betting Odds: Serbia (-18.5) / China (+18.5)

Why Bet on Serbia?

Serbia recorded five games preparing for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Svetislav Pesig and his squad only picked up one loss during that run and that was against European favorites Italy. The four wins include strong performances versus Greece, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and China. This means the Europeans already have experience sharing the floor with their upcoming opponents.

Taking point in this matchup is Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic. He took on the role of captain leading up to the competition. Playing with him are some of the most dominant players in Euro basketball, including Nikola Milutinov who holds the fort as the main center. Numerous absences such as Nikola Jovic will try to seize the opportunity to enforce his height. Despite not being at full strength, we know the lineup holds quality players who can cover a handful of areas on the floor.

,p>The Eagles were the top favorites according to all world rankings during the previous Mundobasket. The tides turned since and now Serbia joins the World Cup as the tournament dark horse. Although no one sees them among the main favorites, there’s less pressure on the squad and could lead to better results at the end of the day.

Why Bet on New Zealand?

China laid the groundwork for the FIBA World Cup much earlier this year. They played six games with a 2-4 record, falling in the hands of European powerhouses such as Italy and Germany. The Asian outfit did find their stride against Cape Verde and New Zealand.

Depth is among China’s strengths in this matchup. Since Aleksandar Djordjevic took over the head coach role, he injected modern basketball into the system of the Chinese national team. It will not be a breeze working with domestic players without international experience, but this points the Asian team in a positive direction.

Kyle Anderson headlines the Chinese national team roster. Anderson established himself as a player who can operate on different areas of the floor and a significant offensive threat. Apart from him and Zhou Qi, the lineup features younger talent from the domestic championship. Serbia gets the nod as favorites and wants to open the tournament with a W. However, China will try to spoil the party and open the group with a victory against the best opponent in Group B. This should give them pace before taking on South Sudan and Puerto Rico.

Serbia vs. China Expert Betting Prediction

Serbia’s past friendly games presented their improved attacking side. The Serbian roster highlights accomplished shooters like Bogdanovic, Dobric, Guduric, Markovic, and Avramovic. Given this, it’s easy to see their authority against a weaker Chinese side. There are a few questions raised when looking at China’s defense and if the unit can hold the Serbian offensive momentum.

Nevertheless, China with a new leader could mean the dawn of a new chapter. The Asian outfit can write different narratives. Covering the spread should be doable given the numbers, but getting that win means extracting every ounce of potential from the 12-man lineup.

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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 NBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online crypto sportsbook.