Team USA and Canada will compete for a medal on Sunday, but it’s not the medal the two teams thought they’d battle over.
Both the United States and Canada were eliminated from gold medal contention in the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Canada suffered a tough loss at the hands of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Serbia, while Team USA was taken out by Dennis Schroder and Germany in the final minute.
Both programs are likely disappointed with the result, but there is still one more game to be played with a bronze medal on the line.
Who will take home third place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup? The Sporting News has you covered with odds and predictions below.
MORE: USA Basketball’s biggest flaw exposed: Why Steve Kerr and NBA coaches are a bad fit
USA vs Canada odds
Team USA enters this contest as 7.5-point favorites over Canada.
This is the smallest spread the United States has faced in this tournament, and rightfully so. Canada was a dominant force until its loss to Serbia, going 4-1 in group play before taking down Luka Doncic and Slovenia by 11 points in the first round of the knockout stage. It ultimately lost to Serbia by nine points, its largest loss at the World Cup.
The United States also went 4-1 in group play, suffering its only loss to Lithuania by six points. It destroyed Italy by 37 points in the first round of the knockout stage before falling to Germany by just two points.
MORE: Three reasons Team USA won’t be playing for gold medal at FIBA World Cup
In a contest that many expected to be the gold medal match, it should come as no surprise that the odds favor a close game between Team USA and Canada.
Take a look at the spread, over/under and moneyline for this contest, courtesy of BetMGM:
| Spread | Total Points | Moneyline | |
| USA | -7.5 (-105) | o190.5 (-105) | -275 |
| Canada | +7.5 (-120) | u190.5 (-120) | +220 |
USA vs Canada prediction
Our pick: Canada +7.5 (-120)
Team USA was 10.5-point favorites over Germany and lost outright, showcasing its vulnerability against tough competition. And while Canada doesn’t pose the same size problem that the United States couldn’t overcome against frontcourts like Germany and Lithuania, its talent is arguably deeper than either of those two countries.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the best player on the floor, and he and Canada should have plenty of motivation with the country competing for its first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup medal. The United States went into this tournament with expectations of gold medal or bust. That could show up in what might feel like a meaningless third-place match for the red, white and blue.
We expect this game to be a back-and-forth battle, just as it would have been if a gold medal was on the line. Canada surely won’t back down from the United States, and we expect it to keep the outcome within seven points on Sunday morning.
Where to watch Team USA vs Canada
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 10
- Time: 4:30 a.m. ET | 1:30 a.m. PT
- TV channel (U.S.): ESPN2
- TV channel (Canada): Sportsnet
- Live stream: Sling TV | Courtside 1891 | Sportsnet NOW
Team USA vs Canada will air on ESPN2 in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. Viewers can also catch a replay on Courtside 1891 or stream the game via Sling TV.
Courtside 1891 offers two subscriptions. Courtside 1891 Plus is free and gives you access to “extended highlights and a curated feed for your favorite teams and competition.” Courtside 1891 Max is a paid subscription that allows you to watch “live game streams and full game replays.”
If you just want to watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup, you can buy a pass for the entire tournament for $9.99. An annual pass, which includes the FIBA Basketball World Cup and other international competitions, costs $44.99. Use code TSN10WC to receive a 10 percent discount.
Geo-restrictions may apply to certain regions. Click here to find out which games are available in your region.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Sling TV, which is now offering half off your first month! You can stream the sports you love starting at just $20 in your first month with Sling Orange, which includes ESPN2.
