FIBA Basketball World Cup predictions & free tips for September 5 games

The FIBA Basketball World Cup reaches day 6 on Thursday, September 5, 2019, with the final eight matches in the first round.

After these matches, the 16 tops teams move in new groups to pursue the title, while the bottom 16 teams also are grouped up and then battle it out for places 17-32.

Teams take their first-round results with them, meaning in theory there are no dead rubbers.

More: FIBA World Cup day 6 predictions

Day 5 has turned the tournament on its head somewhat, with shock losses for Germany against the Dominican Republic and Greece against Brazil.

The biggest upset of all was only a couple of accurate free throws away as USA won 93-92 against Turkey. While they got over the line, Team USA has not impressed punters, who have piled into the red-hot Serbian side to take the title. Betting sites have slashed odds of a Serbian title to $2.80, while the Americans are out to $1.70.

All this means we have some fantastic action ahead! Arguably the pick of the day 6 matches is Lithuania v Australia from Dongguan.

Here are our free picks, odds and predictions for day 6 of the FIBA World Cup, which features eight matches.

Read more:
– Best basketball betting sites
– FIBA World Cup Guide

Canada v Senegal

Tip-off: 15:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Canada $1.07, Senegal $9
Venue: Dongguan Basketball Center
Canada v Senegal predictions: Both these teams have lost their opening two matches and their chances of advancing in the top 16 are gone. Canada have had the better of Senegal in previous meetings, but we can’t help but be impressed with the fight the African team showed against Australia in their latest match. Sportsbooks have assessed the handicap line at 15.5 points. While we think Canada will win, we think they will struggle to cover the line so we will be having a small wager on the Senegalese team +15.5 points at around $1.91. You can read about the top Canadian betting sites here.

Brazil v Montenegro

Tip-off: 16:00 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Brazil $TBC, Montenegro $TBC
Venue: Gymnasium of Youth Olympic Games Sport Park, Nanjing
Brazil v Montenegro predictions: Brazil are riding high and should be too strong for Montenegro, who were disappointing in their loss to the Kiwis. Brazil scored an epic win against Greece and a win here will send them through undefeated and top of their group. They have dominated on the boards and got great scoring power off their bench. Alex Garcia at age 39 did a fantastic job of harassing Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, holding him to 13 points while scoring the same himself. There are no Giannis Antetokounmpos in this Montenegro line-up so expect Brazil to win by 20-odd points.

Turkey v Czech Republic

Tip-off: 16:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Turkey $1.25, Czech Republic $4
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Sports Center
Turkey v Czech Republic predictions: Turkey came oh so close to claiming the huge scalp of the USA in their latest game but they need to continue the momentum here. Czech Republic had few problems beating Japan and were competitive against the USA so expect them to be competitive again this time. Ersan Ilyasova of the Milwaukee Bucks was outstanding for the Turks against the US with 23 points and 14 rebounds. The towering Ilyasova must be contained if the Czechs are to have any chance. We are going with Ilyasova and co to win a tough contest. The $1.25 is a little skinny for our taste but could be a handy anchor leg for a parlay.

Germany v Jordan

Tip-off: 16:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Germany $1.04, Jordan $13
Venue: Shenzhen Bay Sports Center
Germany v Jordan predictions: Germany’s promising campaign has been derailed by defeat against the Dominican Republic and we are none keen to invest at the short odds on the German winning here. Jordan were not too far off the Dominican Republic in their clash and we like them with the handicap line of +18.5 points at $1.90. The German will certainly be deflated and run the risk of the a letdown.

Lithuania v Australia

Tip-off: 19:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Lithuania $1.85, Australia $1.96
Venue: Dongguan Basketball Center
Lithuania v Australia predictions: This is likely the most even match of the day and both teams will desperate to go through undefeated from this first group stage. It should be a cracker and we can see it being a relatively low-scoring slog. Lithuania have strangled the life out of their opening two opponents with wonderful tough defence, while also showing plenty at the attacking end. The Boomers are a well-drilled unit with plenty of dangerous scoring options. Joe Ingles has been superb, almost snaring the first triple double of the tournament against Senegal. We think Australia can scrape over the line here, and maybe the double of Australia to win into the under 167.5 points game total is the way to go.

Greece v New Zealand

Tip-off: 20:00 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Greece $1.07, New Zealand $9
Venue: Gymnasium of Youth Olympic Games Sport Park, Nanjing
Greece v New Zealand predictions: Greece will be desperate to win big here after their shock loss to Brazil a couple of days earlier. The “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo was shut down by the 39-year-old Alex Garcia and then he fouled out in the fourth quarter as the Brazilians came from behind. New Zealand were too strong for Montenegro in another surprise but the Greeks have designs on winning a medal here and will step up the pace, with Antetokounmpo likely to wreak havoc. We like the Greece win/match total over 167.5 total at around $2.10.

USA v Japan

Tip-off: 20:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: USA $TBC, Japan $TBC
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Sports Center
USA v Japan predictions: Team USA look far too strong on paper in this contest, with Japan rank outsiders in betting to win. USA will be looking for a more convincing display than their narrow victory over Turkey, and the winless Japan might be able to help play them into form. For whatever reason the USA have been liable to give up big streaks of points on the defensive end, while they have also struggled (relatively speaking given they are the mighty USA) to put up the numbers we have come to expect. The USA is likely to give Jayson Tatum the night off, after he sprained his ankle in the win over Turkey. Look out for Japanese youngster Rui Hachimura who looks to be a linchpin the team can build around for future International basketball tournaments. We’re tipping the USA by over 40 points in this one as they look to get their World Cup campaign back on track.

Dominican Republic v France

Tip-off: 20:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Dominican Republic $19, France $1.02
Venue: Shenzhen Bay Sports Center
Dominican Republic v France predictions: The Dominican Republic have been a surprise packet of the World Cup, sitting undefeated after their opening two games, the wins coming against Jordan (80-76) and Germany (70-68). France is also undefeated and now it just remains to be seen who will finish top and who will progress through second in Group G. We think the French will have a little bit too much in the tank for Dominican Republic, with Nando de Colo (who top-scored last outing) to again lead his team back from the back court. de Colo is even a candidate to start the game, having dominated after coming off the bench against Jordan. Back the French to win by more than 20 points and go through to the final 16 with maximum points.

Relevant news