The 2019 FIBA World Cup is set to begin on August 31 in China. The competition will feature the hosts, as well as five other countries from the Asian continent.
Asian teams have been unable to break the dominance of the Americas and Europe in world basketball, and the FIBA World Cup 2019 odds don’t see any of them as true contenders.
But still, the Asian participants in this year’s tournament will be eager to give a good account of themselves and perhaps score an upset or two.
Let’s take a closer look at each of those six Asian teams and see how they might fare in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
China
China are back in the FIBA World Cup after failing to make it in 2014. Although, they didn’t have to qualify this time around since they’re the tournament hosts.
Nevertheless, they have a decent chance to move on to the second round of the tournament. They are installed as the favourites to win a competitive Group A which features Poland, Venezuela, and Ivory Coast.
With a towering frontcourt composed of seven-footers Yi Jianlian, Zhou Qi, and Wang Zhelin, the Chinese possess the size to challenge any team in the tournament.
However, they will need their guards — particularly point guard Guo Ailun — to step up if they are to return to the round of 16.
Iran
Iran have been among the giants of the Asian region for over a decade, but they have yet to make a mark on the world stage. They’ve won just two of their 10 FIBA World Cup matches to date and have yet to make it to the round of 16.
But they should stand a decent chance of doing so this year. With Spain head and shoulders above the rest of Group C, the Iranians will have to battle it out with Puerto Rico and Tunisia for that second spot.
Star big man Hamed Haddadi, now in his mid-30s, will have to continue to carry a heavy load offensively for Iran to stand a chance.
Japan
The Japanese find themselves in a difficult Group E alongside tournament favourites USA, as well as Turkey and the Czech Republic. As a result, their FIBA World Cup 2019 odds to make it to the next round aren’t all that encouraging.
But still, the Japanese will look to give a good account of themselves. With naturalised big man Nick Fazekas, young Rui Hachimura — the team’s rising star who was recently drafted by the Washington Wizards — and Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe leading the way, the Akatsuki Five could yet produce some FIBA World Cup 2019 highlights.
Jordan
Similar to Japan, Jordan face an uphill battle to make it through to the next round. They find themselves in a very competitive Group G with France, Germany, and the Dominican Republic.
The Jordanians are making just their second-ever trip to the FIBA World Cup; they lost all five of their matches back in 2010. They very nearly caused a huge shock in their first match against Australia but didn’t come quite as close in succeeding matches.
Their opening match against the Dominican Republic will be their best shot to score that elusive first win in this tournament.
Philippines
Like many other Asian countries, the Philippines are at a disadvantage in size even with the inclusion of naturalised big man Andray Blatche. Nevertheless, the Filipinos have successfully qualified for their second straight FIBA World Cup.
The Gilas squad won one out of four matches back in 2014. But they will bring a much-changed and relatively inexperienced squad to China and will hope that their big men — 33-year-old Blatche and Philippine Basketball Association MVP June Mar Fajardo — can carry them offensively.
While the Nikola Jokic-led Serbia are the massive favourites in Group D, the Filipinos could potentially steal second spot if they can somehow score an upset over Italy in their first match of the group.
South Korea
This will be South Korea’s third trip to the FIBA World Cup in 21 years. In their previous two campaigns, they failed to win a single match in 10 tries.
Getting that elusive first win this year could prove rather difficult, though, as they are set to face three far superior teams in Argentina, Russia, and Nigeria — who have been facing some financial problems recently — in Group B. SBOBET odds have them priced at 121.00 to win the group, with the other three teams 3.00 or lower.
With their continued lack of size — they have no player taller than 6-foot-9 — the South Koreans’ 3-point shooting will need to be spot-on for them to remain competitive.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
