Montenegro vs Lithuania Prediction & Picks: Who will finish 3-0 in Group D?

By both winning their first two games at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Lithuania and Montenegro have already secured advancement to the second round. There, they will go up against the USA and either Greece or New Zealand in Group J.

But before they can look ahead to facing off with the Americans, there’s the small matter of a head-to-head matchup today (8:30 am ET, ESPN+) to determine who finishes at the top of Group D.

Because results from the preliminary round carry over to the second round, the winner of the Group D finale will pick up a valuable advantage in the race for qualifying for the quarterfinals. The top two teams in each second-round group will move on to the quarters, and with the USA expected to occupy one of those two spots unless something wild happens, Lithuania, Montenegro, and likely Greece will be battling it out for the other spot and a potential showdown with Serbia.

In their first two games, Lithuania and Montenegro brushed aside Egypt and Mexico with ease. Will we see a close game in Pasay, or will favored Lithuania dominate to finish off a perfect run through Group D?

Montenegro vs Lithuania Basketball Odds

Odds are via Bovada.

Spread

• Montenegro +5 (-115)
• Lithuania -5 (-105)

Over/Under

• Over 162.5 (-110)
• Under 162.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Montenegro +160
• Lithuania -195

Which Veteran Big Man Will Emerge Victorious?

Followers of the NBA and college basketball will be familiar with numerous names on both teams in this matchup. For Lithuania, former Michigan star Iggy Brazdeikis, Donatas Motiejunas, and Mindaugas Kuzminskas have all logged some action in the NBA. For Montenegro, Marko Simonovic inked a deal to return to Europe after being waived by the Chicago Bulls earlier this summer.

But they will be especially familiar with the veteran big men leading the way for each team.

For Lithuania, it’s Jonas Valanciunas, fresh off of averaging a double-double for the fifth straight season. Valanciunas has opened the World Cup by doing what he does best, putting up 15 points and ten rebounds in Friday’s 93-67 win over Egypt and 15 and 12 in Sunday’s 96-66 rout of Mexico.

For Montenegro, Nikola Vucevic has been at the center of their two wins. He went for 27 points and ten boards in Friday’s 91-71 win over Mexico, and he followed that up with 16 points and seven boards in Sunday’s 89-74 win over Egypt.

Neither seven-footer makes a living off of blocking shots, but Vucevic recorded two blocks against Mexico and three against Egypt. If Montenegro is to have a chance to upset the odds, the swats may need to keep coming for Vucevic.

Montenegro vs Lithuania Prediction and Picks

Montenegro vs Lithuania Picks: Lithuania -5 (-105 at Bovada) & Lithuania team total over 83.5 (-110 at Bovada)

In addition to Vucevic, Lithuania will have their hands full with Montenegro point guard Kendrick Perry, who has 14 assists and only four turnovers and is averaging 13.5 PPG through two games.

But beyond their double-double machine, Lithuania sports a stronger supporting cast than Montenegro. Against Egypt, eight players scored at least six points, while that number increased to nine against Mexico.

This isn’t one of Lithuania’s best-ever teams, and on paper, they appear to be behind several other potential medal contenders. At Bovada, they have the eighth-best odds to win the tournament.

But they are definitely the superior team in this matchup, and I expect them to put Montenegro away for a win that will go a long way to giving them a chance to better their disappointing ninth-place finish in the World Cup four years ago.

Where to Bet on Montenegro vs Lithuania & the FIBA Basketball World Cup

The Montenegro vs Lithuania betting odds mentioned in this article came from Bovada, but they aren’t the only sports betting site out there offering 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup odds.

Here are some of the reputable online sportsbooks that we recommend for betting on the FIBA World Cup and other basketball competitions and leagues like the NBA and WNBA:

• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

In addition to odds for each game of the tournament, you can find FIBA World Cup futures odds at reputable sportsbooks like these.