We are back with another prediction as we move on to the second round of group play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This should be a good one as Australia and Slovenia square off for a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 Bronze medal game to open the second round of group play. Check out our FIBA World Cup odds series for our Australia-Slovenia prediction and pick.

Australia went just 2-1 during the first round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The Australians expectedly took care of business against Japan and Finland, but they fell to Germany in their second game of the tournament. Nonetheless, Australians shouldn't fret as much as their team remains one of the heavy favorites to at least get a podium finish in the World Cup. They will have a chance to avenge that loss to Germany as they remain in the same group together for round two.

Meanwhile, Slovenia swept through Group C with Luka Doncic carrying his country throughout the first round. The Slovenians dominated and won each game by at least 15 points. The competition will only get tougher from here, as they open the second round versus the No. 3-ranked Australia. Germany, who defeated the Aussies, are also in Group K with them. Doncic may have his hands full in this round.

Here are the 2023 FIBA World Cup odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

2023 FIBA World Cup Odds: Australia-Slovenia Odds

Australia: -5.5 (-115)

Slovenia: +5.5 (-111)

Over: 177.5 (-111)

Under: 177.5 (-115)

How to Watch Australia vs. Slovenia

Stream: ESPN+, Courtside 1891

Time: 8:10 AM ET/ 5:10 AM PT

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why Australia Will Cover The Spread

Australia's biggest advantage here is the fact that they have a more stacked squad compared to Slovenia. While Slovenia may have the best player on the floor, the Aussies have a ton of NBA-level talent who probably make up the second to eighth-best players among both teams.

Patty Mills and Josh Giddey have emerged as the two leaders of this team. They are both averaging 19.0 points per game throughout the tournament. Giddey's best performance came against Japan, where he scored 26 points and added 11 assists and five rebounds. The young stud has been a revelation for Australia and Oklahoma City Thunder must be feeling ecstatic in what they are seeing from the 20-year-old.

Mills, meanwhile, had a quiet outing versus the Japanese as he scored just 11 points. But he did average 23 points per game through the first two games of the tournament. The veteran guard could check back into the archives and relive his performance against this same Slovenia team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Mills exploded for 42 points to lead the Aussies to the Bronze Medal. If the NBA champion catches fire like he did over two years ago, Slovenia might as well kiss their clean record goodbye.

Why Slovenia Will Cover The Spread

Luka Doncic is really the only reason you need to believe why Slovenia can take down Australia and give them their second loss of the tournament. The Dallas Mavericks superstar has been on an absolute tear throughout the first round. Doncic is carrying his team off averages of 30.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. He did cool off a bit in their last game against Cape Verde, where he finished with just 19 points on 5-of-17 shooting.

Nonetheless, other players such as Klemen Prepelic stepped up to pick up the slack for Doncic's off night. Prepelic tallied 18 points in the 15-point win and added four rebounds, seven assists, and two steals off the bench. His brother, Bine Prepelic, also played a solid game with 11 points. Point guard Aleksej Nikolic also added 11 markers as Slovenia put forth a team effort to get through the first round with a clean slate.

As much as Slovenia will rely on Doncic to carry them through this round, they will need a concerted effort to get past a deeper team like Australia. The Prepelic brothers, Nikolic, and Mike Tobey figure to be the other main contributors to this team throughout the tournament.

Slovenia also has the sour taste of the Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medal game on their palates. Australia proved to be too much for Doncic and company as Patty Mills lit them up for 42 points to earn the podium finish. With that, Luka and the rest of his teammates have enough motivation to avenge that game and take this round in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Final Australia-Slovenia Prediction & Pick

Australia is going to hand Slovenia its first loss of the tournament and they will cover the spread while doing so. As good as Doncic is, the Aussies are just more loaded and their depth should outweigh the Dallas Mavericks guard's star power.

Final Australia-Slovenia Prediction & Pick: Australia: -5.5 (-115)