FIBA World Cup 2019: 2nd-Round Qualified Teams, Schedule, Odds and Predictions
As the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup advances into the second round, only 16 teams remain.
Those teams will be in four different groups (Group I, Group J, Group K and Group L), four teams each.
Results from each team's three games in the first round will carry over to the second, according to FIBA.
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Additionally, the teams that failed to move to the second round Like Angola, Philippines and China will still be in the hunt for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament berths.
Teams still in the hunt for the World Cup trophy include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Serbia, Spain and Team USA.
Here's a brief look at the second-round schedule, as well as the latest odds and predictions.
2019 FIBA World Cup Schedule
Friday, Sept. 6
Group I: Poland vs. Russia (-2.5); 4 a.m. ET, 9 a.m. BST
Group J: Serbia (-30.5) vs. Puerto Rico; 4:30 a.m. ET, 9:30 a.m. BST
Group I: Argentina (-12.5) vs. Venezuela; 8 a.m. ET, 1 p.m. BST
Group J: Spain (-6) vs. Italy; 8:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. BST
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook and all games will be live-streamed on ESPN+.
Predictions
Russia def. Poland, 72-65
Argentina def. Venezuela, 88-79
Serbia def. Puerto Rico, 91-69
Spain def. Italy, 91-72
Preview
Italy will have their hands full with Spain. The Spaniards are a well-oiled machine with years of experience playing professional basketball, as well as international basketball as a unit.
Look for Spain to continue their dominance and move to a 4-0 record.
Puerto Rico will have virtually no chance against Serbia. The Serbs are formidable and play very well together and will likely emerge with a 4-0 record.
One of the more interesting games will be Poland and Russia. Poland is undefeated but Russia is not far behind and the odds prove it.
This will be a game which will hinge on the play of Mateusz Ponitka of Zenit Saint Petersburg of the VTB United League and the EuroLeague.
Ponitka is averaging 17.3 points per game and seems set to continue his impressive play against the Russians.
Follow Maurice Bobb on Twitter, @ReeseReport
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