Group E Preview: Big games all around with qualification, pride on the line
The lone ticket left from Group E of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers is left dangling on the line.
It will be between Jordan and Saudi Arabia and it could go down to the last game day of the Qualifiers before that final qualification spot is claimed.
That doesn’t mean the qualified teams will idly sit through this window either. Whether it’s the Philippines, New Zealand, or Lebanon, they all have something to prove in this last stretch before the build-up towards the main stage – the World Cup
Here’s what the standings look like in Group E heading into Window 6 of the Asian Qualifiers:
GROUP E
12/18 games played
All First Round results carry over to Second Round
| GAMES | STREAK | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | Last 5 | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | | |
| 1 |  Lebanon(1) (2) |
8 | 7 | 1 | 87.5 | 683 | 555 | 128 | 85.4 | 69.4 | 15 | |
| 2 |  New Zealand(2) |
8 | 6 | 2 | 75.0 | 710 | 535 | 175 | 88.8 | 66.9 | 14 | |
| 3 |  Philippines(2) |
8 | 5 | 3 | 62.5 | 605 | 581 | 24 | 75.6 | 72.6 | 13 | |
| 4 |  Jordan(1) |
8 | 4 | 4 | 50.0 | 586 | 598 | -12 | 73.2 | 74.8 | 12 | |
| 5 |  Saudi Arabia(1) |
8 | 2 | 6 | 25.0 | 520 | 597 | -77 | 65 | 74.6 | 10 | |
| 6 |  India |
8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 488 | 726 | -238 | 61 | 90.8 | 8 | |
(1) To uniformly classify teams, the First Round games against the last ranked team of Group C are not considered for the classification of Group E.
(2) Qualified for the World Cup
24 February 2023
New Zealand vs Saudi Arabia – 19:00 GMT +13 – Christchurch, New Zealand
Philippines vs Lebanon – 18:00 GMT +8 – Bulacan, Philippines
India vs Jordan – 18:00 GMT +5.5 – Bengaluru, India
We’re starting off the window with a banger in a rematch between the Philippines and Lebanon. The last time these two teams played against each other Jordan Clarkson made his FIBA debut, but Lebanon came away with an emphatic win in front of their fans on a Wael Arakji clutch classic.
It shouldn’t be too much to expect the sparks to fly once again with the game being played at the Philippine Arena, the venue of the Final Phase of the World Cup.
The other two games will be just as important to watch as Jordan can clinch the World Cup qualification spot with either a win over India or if Saudi Arabia loses to New Zealand.
27 February 2023
New Zealand vs Lebanon – 19:00 GMT +13 – Wellington, New Zealand
Philippines vs Jordan – 18:00 GMT +8 – Bulacan, Philippines
India vs Saudi Arabia – 15:00 GMT +5.5 – Bengaluru, India
The last game day starts off with an exciting game between the Tall Blacks and the Cedars. Again, even though both teams are qualified, there should be enough ingredients to make this a game to watch.
“The Lebanon game is big because they’ve qualified [for the FIBA World Cup] so we expect good performances from our guys and we want the win – that’s first and foremost on our mind for these games,” said coach Pero Cameron, as per Basketball New Zealand.
Returning Star
Mohammed Alsuwailem
CENTER
Height: 2.08M (6’10”)
Asian Qualifiers stats: 10.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks per game
Mohammed Alsuwailem had to take a long break after suffering an injury early last year, but now he’s back. His return is just in time for two must-win games for Saudi Arabia as well and his presence will be much needed against the physical Tall Blacks.
The towering center has been dominant since his return to league play such as WASL Gulf where he is averaging 18.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on 76.3 percent shooting for Al Hilal.
Debut to watch
Justin Brownlee
POWER FORWARD
Height: 2.00M (6’7”)
There is a lot of hype surrounding the potential debut of Justin Brownlee for the Philippines. And rightfully so.
The all-around forward has spent nearly a decade building up his status as a local legend in the Philippines basketball scene. Therefore, it’s tough to not expect Brownlee to put on a show if he ends up making his debut, especially going up against Lebanon and Jordan and with the games being played at the Philippine Arena where he has put his heroics on display time and time again.
Here’s where Group E teams are ranked in the FIBA World Rankings, as well as in Asia:
| WORLD RANK |
COUNTRY | ASIA RANK |
CURRENT POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26. |  New Zealand |
3. | 431.5 |
| 34. |  Jordan |
5. | 337.8 |
| 40. |  Philippines |
8. | 315.7 |
| 42. |  Lebanon |
9. | 307.2 |
| 71. |  Saudi Arabia |
13. | 139.9 |