USA vs. Montenegro Predictions, Picks & Odds: FIBA World Cup

Last updated: August 31, 2023 5:47 PM EDT • 5 min read X Social Google News Link

USA Basketball hasn't played a close game yet, and we're expecting that to continue as it takes on Montenegro in the second round. We're offering up our best USA vs. Montenegro predictions based on the best FIBA World Cup odds.
Boasting an unblemished 3-0 record and an impressive point differential of plus-103, USA Basketball firmly holds the reins in its journey towards the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup. The upcoming group stage in this global basketball showdown will see USA pitted against Montenegro, Lithuania, and Greece. Following their victory against Greece in the initial round, USA will subsequently clash with Montenegro and Lithuania.
So commanding is their position that the odds for USA's advancement to the quarterfinals aren't even listed on FanDuel. The question on many minds is whether head coach Steve Kerr will maintain his strategy of distributing playing time within the 15-20 minute bracket, a tactic he employed in the opening round of the FIBA World Cup.
Here is our best USA vs. Montenegro prediction for Friday's FIBA World Cup matchup (odds via our best NBA betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
USA vs. Montenegro predictions: FIBA World Cup
Anthony Edwards Under 19.5 points (-139 via BetRivers) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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During the showcase games for USA Basketball, Anthony Edwards emerged as the offensive frontrunner, displaying unwavering confidence in taking on the role of the primary scorer. His impressive displays compelled me to wager on him at +1000 odds to become the tournament's top scorer, making him a player I've been closely monitoring.
The challenge for Edwards in the first three games is that all of them have been blowouts, and Steve Kerr is limiting everyone's playing time to 15-20 minutes per game. We should anticipate more of the same from Kerr in this matchup against Montenegro, as the USA is favored by 25.5 points.
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Edwards scored 22 points in his last game against Jordan, but the minutes just haven't been there for him to consider going Over the total of 19.5 points, especially until the games become more competitive. He achieved those 22 points against Jordan in just 18 minutes.
The addition of Josh Hart to the starting lineup and Brandon Ingram to the bench creates a strong narrative and angle that leads people to expect more points from Edwards. I agree that he should score more than the 14 and 13 points we saw in the first two games, but the question is, how much more? We can't blindly bet the Over with this line of thinking. With BetRivers offering his total at 19.5 points, I actually lean strongly toward the Under.
DraftKings, BetMGM, and bet365 all have Edwards' total at 16.5 points, with slightly varying juice. This bet takes on a different tone if all our best sports betting apps offer Edwards at 16.5 points (-115/-115), but that's not the case; BetRivers stands out with a total of 19.5 points.
The juice might appear high at -139 for the Under, but it's worth it for the extra three points on the total. The equivalent price for an Under 16.5 points (-115) for a total of 19.5 points is -207, yet we can secure it at -139 through BetRivers.
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USA vs. Montenegro best odds
BetRivers (-139)
DraftKings | BetMGM | bet365 | BetRivers |
---|---|---|---|
Under 16.5 points | Under 16.5 points | Under 16.5 points | Under 19.5 points |
-115 | +100 | -115 | -139 |
I feel like I've been emphasizing this frequently throughout the FIBA World Cup: the best price is available at BetRivers, and it's not even close. Don't let the amount of juice discourage you from opting for the extra three points on the Under at BetRivers.
An Under 16.5 points at +100 is equivalent to a -179 on the Under of a total of 19.5 points, yet we can secure it at -139 through BetRivers. This assessment is solely based on BetMGM's pricing for this prop. When you consider how bet365 and DraftKings have set the Under 16.5 points at -115, the corresponding odds for the Under 19.5 points would be -207 for them.
Make sure you're getting the best USA vs. Montenegro odds with our BetRivers promo code!
USA vs. Montenegro odds analysis
Depending on where you shop, the USA is either trading as a 26.5-point favorite at even money or at -25.5 with increased juice on its side of the spread.
The total opened at 182.5, and we have seen it drop down to 181.5 across most of our best sports betting sites, with BetMGM being the only sportsbook still trading the total at 182.5.
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USA vs. Montenegro game info
- When: Friday, Sep. 1, 4:40 a.m. ET.
- Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines
- How to watch: ESPN
USA-Montenegro pick made 08/31/2023 at 7:50 a.m. ET.
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