Canada vs Serbia odds, picks and prediction for 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup semifinals game

Canada is just one step away from the championship game at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, but a tough Serbia squad is standing in its way.

In the quarterfinals, the Canadians were able to hold off Slovenia, securing a 100-89 victory to punch their ticket to the semifinal round. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett led the way offensively for Canada, combining to score more than half of the team's points.

Serbia, meanwhile, is looking to continue rolling through the tournament after back-to-back blowout wins. Bogdan Bogdanovic was stellar in matchups against the Dominican Republic and Lithuania, totaling 41 points on 16-of-20 shooting from the field.

Which FIBA World Cup contender will keep its gold medal hopes alive? Here is a breakdown of Canada vs Serbia, including betting odds and the biggest storyline to monitor.

Canada vs Serbia odds

Canada is a 5.5-point favorite heading into its game against Serbia. The Canadians won their first three games at the tournament by an average margin of 37 points, but they defeated Spain and Slovenia by just three and 11 points, respectively.

You can take a look at the spread, over/under and moneyline for Canada vs Serbia below, :

Canada vs Serbia prediction

Our pick: Canada -5.5

This is a very tough call. It's understandable that Canada is the betting favorite, but Serbia should not be underestimated. Bogdanovic has been spectacular, and Nikola Milutinov and Filip Petrusev will provide a real challenge for the Canadian big men.

We're going to give a slight edge to Canada because of its elite talent and depth. The Canadians have shown great chemistry and resiliency after suffering a disappointing loss to Brazil, so the expectation is that they won't fold in a tight contest.

Biggest storyline: Can anyone stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

There is no debate. Gilgeous-Alexander has been the best player at the FIBA World Cup — yes, better than Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards or anyone else that you may suggest.

Through six games, the Thunder star is averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.7 steals. He is shooting 54.7 percent from the field, and he owns the highest efficiency rating at the tournament.

Serbia doesn't have a lockdown perimeter defender to put on Gilgeous-Alexander, but it is disciplined in terms of retreating in transition and preventing easy buckets on fast breaks. The Serbians must close off Gilgeous-Alexander's driving lanes as much as possible, or it will be a long night.

Where to watch Canada vs Serbia

Canada vs Serbia will air on Sportsnet in Canada. Viewers can also stream the game via Sportsnet NOW or catch a replay on Courtside 1891.

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 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, you can buy a pass for the entire tournament for $9.99. An annual pass, which includes the 2023 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.