The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup kicks off on August 31 in the United States and September 1 in Beijing, China. Team USA is a solid -200 favorite. However, the United States’ odds went from -350 to -200 after they dropped an exhibition game last weekend versus Australia. Is USA vulnerable for it’s first international tournament loss since 2006? Check out the FIBA World Cup odds, a preview, and analysis!
Updated 2019 FIBA World Cup Odds – August 29th
- When: August 31 – September 15
- Where: China
- Live Stream: LiveBasketball.tv
Odds to Win the 2019 FIBA World Cup
- USA -200
- Serbia +325
- Greece +1100
- Spain +1400
- France +2500
- Australia +3300
- Lithuania +4000
- Argentina +9000
- Canada +10000
- Russia +22000
- Italy +12500
- Germany +15000
- Turkey +15000
- Brazil +15000
- Poland +30000
- Puerto Rico +30000
- Montenegro +25000
How much of a lock are the Americans to win the 2019 FIBA World Cup?
On paper, the U.S. squad looks like a lock. Any team that includes Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown should stand toe-to-toe with any international squad, right? Those four players make up the core of the Boston Celtics, one of the top teams in the NBA.
Not only that, but the head coach might be the greatest of all time. Gregg Popovich knows basketball better than anybody on the planet. The assistant coaches are Jay Wright, Villanova’s head guy, and Steve Kerr, the architect of Golden State’s dynasty.
That’s on paper. The team is solid. However, unless you truly believe that the Boston Celtics are that good, you must question whether USA can dominate. The international game hasn’t exactly caught up with the United States. But, no LeBron, no KD, no AD, no Kawhi, and no Splash Brothers, means the U.S.’s very best aren’t going to be in Beijing.
Popovich, Wright, and Kerr can only work with what they’ve got. They’ve got the Boston Celtics, one possible superstar in Khris Middleton, and decent bench players like Harrison Barnes and Mason Plumlee.
Let’s not forget the odds rose significantly from -350 to -200. That’s a sign the Americans are an underlay.
Does Serbia offer overlay or underlay odds to knock off the United States?
If you believe the United State’s offers value at -200, then Serbia is an underlay. If you believe the U.S. is an underlay at -200, Serbia most definitely is an overlay at +325.
The thinking here is that Serbia offers excellent odds. Their fair odds are probably around +250. Why? In every game the Serbs play, they’ll start the second best player at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, center/power forward Nikola Jokic.
Jokic dominates in the NBA. He averages 20 points, 7.2 assists, and 10.8 boards for the Denver Nuggets. He’s the single most dominant player at the FIBA World Cup. Serbia isn’t just Jokic, though. Both Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica play for the Sacramento Kings. Plus, the Serbs have played together longer than other teams.
Serbia has a real shot of taking down the U.S. in this tournament.
What about Greece’s chances of winning the 2019 FIBA World Cup?
Greece’s odds have significantly depreciated because the reigning NBA MVP steps onto the court for them. Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates, maybe, like no other player in the history of pro basketball. He’s a do-it-all machine of a player.
Giannis doesn’t have the same supporting cast that Jokic has. So, the odds on Greece are fair, maybe even a bit underlaid. However, he’s not battling LeBron or Steph or Kevin Durant in this tournament. He’s already proven he can beat up the players on Team USA.
If you’re looking for any longshot to upset the United State’s or Serbia, it Greece. The other underdogs at the 2019 FIBA World Cup don’t have much of a chance of winning.
