FIBA World Cup 2023 | Best Bets, August 31

The First Round of the FIBA World Cup is over, and the teams moving on in the tournament have been decided. Thursday's schedule will see teams compete in the Classification Round for 17-32 place.

Let's check out the bets!

Cape Verde vs Finland

When: 3:30 AM EST

Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

Odds courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook. Check out our list of the best NBA betting sites for more betting opportunities.

Spread: Finland -10.5 (-110)

Cape Verde will take on a disappointed Finland when their Classification Round game comes along. Despite their exciting run-up to the tournament, Finland went 0-3 in group play and amassed a -62 points differential. Cape Verde were 1-2 through the First Round, producing a -34 points differential.

Finland's defense kept digging them into holes on top of a bottom-third offense that averaged 78.3 points, 44.8% from the floor, and 33.0% from three-point range. Unsurprisingly, Lauri Markkanen led the way for the Finns with 19.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game on 40.8% shooting and just 15.0% from three. Cape Verde averaged 72.7 points per game on 40.5% from the field and an inaccurate 27.6% from three-point range.

Cape Verde has struggled to score the ball but so has Finland. The issue for Cape Verde will be Finland's shooters, who, while not incredibly accurate through this tournament, can punish them from range.

Angola vs China

When: 4:00 AM EST

Where: Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Total: Over 149.5 (-113)

Surprise performers in Angola take on China in their Classification Round match of the evening. After winning from Italy, Angola finished the group 1-2 with a points differential of -23. China went winless through their First Round, amassing a -80 points differential.

Angola set the tone early in their games, establishing themselves as one of the top rebounding teams with 42.0 per game and a tournament-leading 18.7 offensive rebounds per game. NBA center Bruno Fernando paced Angola's efforts, averaging 13.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game - he was everywhere on the court. China averaged 73.7 points per game on 44.4% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range. Rui Zhao was China's most consistent performer, averaging 15.3 points on 51.7% from the field and 50.0% from three.

Angola and China are set to put on an exciting match. When they face off on Thursday, Angola's dominance on the glass should help them toward victory against China, who was 29th on the glass through the tournament.

New Zealand vs Mexico

When: 4:45 AM EST

Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread: New Zealand -9.5 (-108)

New Zealand and Mexico face off in the first match of the schedule on Thursday. Mexico struggled through the tournament, going 0-3 and amassing a -78 points differential. New Zealand found a single win in three games, generating a -28 points differential.

Mexico averaged 69.7 points per game on 40.7% shooting from the field through the First Round. Pako Cruz was one of the few bright spots for Mexico, averaging 15.7 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds through Mexico's first three games. New Zealand was outmatched offensively through the First Round, averaging 80.3 points per game on 42.1% from the field and 42.3% from deep.

When Mexico and New Zealand face-off, the Tall Blacks will have the immediate advantage. Their guard play and three-point shooting, in particular, are expected to give Mexico issues.

Cote d'Ivoire vs Lebanon

When: 5:45 AM EST

Where: Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Money: Lebanon to Win (+235)

Cote d'Ivoire and Lebanon will battle it out, with the latter hoping to earn their first win of this World Cup Tournament. Lebanon finished last in Group H with a tournament-worst -100 points differential. Cote d'Ivoire were 1-2 in Group G, earning a win over Iran and generating a -40 points differential.

Despite going winless, Lebanon's offense wasn't toothless, averaging 74.0 points per game on 47.3% from the field and 33.3% from deep - their defense was outclassed on almost every possession. Point Guard Wael Arakji was Lebanon's top performer, averaging 17.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.7 rebounds on 54.3% shooting in the tournament. Cote d'Ivoire was one of the worst shooting teams in the tournament, scoring just 72.7 points per game on 40.5% from the field and 32.4% from three. Bazoumana Kone led Cote d'Ivoire with just 9.0 points per game.

Cote d'Ivoire set an impressive pace that should give Lebanon issues. Still, Lebanon's guardplay and speed were one of their strengths despite their 0-3 run. It should be an exciting matchup.

Japan vs Venezuela

When: 7:10 AM EST

Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Total: Over 161.5 (-110)

Tournament co-hosts Japan take on Venezuela as they aim to earn the coveted second-place spot out of the Qualified nations at the tournament. After a historic win over Finland, Japan ended the First Round with a 1-2 record and a -28 points differential. Venezuela went winless in Group F, with just a -32 points differential.

Japan entertained their home crowd in Okinawa, averaging 83.3 points per game on 44.8% shooting from the field. To the surprise of many, Japan's standout player was the naturalized Josh Hawkinson, who averaged 23.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game on 70.0% efficiency. Venezuela posted 73.0 points per game on 40.6% from the field but 35.1% from three on 11.3 per game. Josh Hawkins led Japan with 23.3 points per game on 70.0% from the field.

Venezuela loves to shoot the ball, which could give Japan something to consider. However, given their strength in the paint and solid guard play, expect hosts Japan to perform on their home court.

South Sudan vs Philippines

When: 8:00 AM EST

Where: Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines

Odds courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.

Spread: South Sudan -3.5 (-105)

Also competing to earn the second-place position for Asia Qualified nations are co-hosts Philippines, who take on South Sudan. Gilas Pilipinas were disappointed to go 0-3 through the First Round with a -23 points differential. South Sudan played excellent basketball in the First Round, finishing 1-2 with a -17 points differential.

The Philippines were among the poorer performing teams on both ends of the court, averaging 78.0 points on 45.7% from the field and 29.0% from the three-point range. Gilas star Jordan Clarkson was the sole bright spot, averaging 24.0 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds, but it was on a paltry 36.5% from the field and 14.3% from deep. South Sudan was ready to run with the big boys in their first World Cup, averaging 89.3 points per game on 48.4% from the field and 42.7% from three. Carlik Jones led South Sudan in scoring with 19.7 points per game on 47.6% from the field and 46.2% from three.

Hosts Philippines are desperate to win to keep their dream of an Olympics spot alive. Unfortunately, South Sudan can take advantage of all of their weaknesses. Expect a competitive match ending in favor of South Sudan.

Egypt vs Jordan

When: 8:30 AM EST

Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines

Odds courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.

Spread: Jordan -2.5 (-110)

Egypt face Jordan on Thursday, with both teams aiming to leave the World Cup on a high. Through three games, Egypt earned one victory over Mexico and a respectable points differential of -13. Jordan went winless in Group C, amassing a -77 points differential.

In the First Round, Egypt scored 80.3 points per game on 41.5% from the field but 30.4% from three-point range on just seven made per game. Ehab Amin was the central contributor for Egypt, averaging 19.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds for his country. Without much offensive diversity, Jordan averaged 73.3 points per game on 38.9% from the field and 29.2% from deep. Their sole bright spot was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the First Round's second-highest scorer with 27.7 per game on 49.0% from the field.

Expect a gritty match between these teams, who are desperate for a victory. The matchup in the paint should be relatively even, so the guard play is something to watch.

France vs Iran

When: 9:30 AM EST

Where: Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, Indonesia

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread: France -19.0 (-108)

France will aim to achieve some modicum of redemption when they face Iran on Thursday evening. The European giants went 1-2 through the First Round, losing to Canada and Latvia and earning a -26 points differential. Iran lost all three matches in the First Round, resulting in a -63 points differential.

The struggles of Les Bleus were apparent through the First Round, where they averaged just 78.7 points, on 46.6% from the field and 33.0% from three-point range - putting them in the bottom third of the tournament in offensive performance. Evan Fournier led France's efforts with 21.7 points and 3.7 made threes per game. Iran was the worst-scoring team of the First Round, averaging just 64.3 points per game on 38.2% from the field. Ahmad Dwairi and Freddy Ibrahim paced Iran with 14.0 points per game each.

Don't expect a different result for Iran in this game. They're outmatched against France's backcourt, and the interior defense of Les Bleus should work wonders against the below-average interior shooters of Iran. Expect a straightforward victory for France.