Team USA men’s basketball looks to continue its hot streak through the 2024 Paris Olympics this afternoon — but to stay undefeated (the club is currently 4-0 in the tournament), the Americans will need to vanquish the best player alive.
Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has essentially singlehandedly kept his native Team Serbia alive in the hunt for a medal. The club has gone 3-1 and will be a massive betting underdog against the U.S.
Serbia vs. USA Olympic Basketball Semifinal Betting Preview: Odds, Picks
In its first matchup of the knockout round Tuesday, Team USA put the smackdown on Team Brazil, a club that included only one active NBA player — Golden State Warriors reserve forward Gui Santos. The Americans outscored Brazil 122-87, eliminating the South American squad from medal contention.
Six Americans scored in double figures, led by All-Star Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker. In just 15 minutes, the swingman notched 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field (5-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc) and 1-of-1 shooting from the foul line, while also dishing out three assists and pulling down three rebounds.
The big question for the Americans heading into the matchup is: which players head coach Steve Kerr will opt to start?
In the Brazil win, Kerr started mainstays Booker, Los Angeles Lakers All-NBA forward LeBron James, and his Golden State Warriors All-NBA point guard Stephen Curry, who’s had a disappointing tournament so far. Kerr supplemented that trio with Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid and Boston Celtics All-Defensive combo guard Jrue Holiday.
Team USA has squared off against Serbia during competition once before, decimating them to the tune of a 110-84 victory on July 28 during the pool play round. Kerr started the same first five as he had in the Brazil game. During that earlier Team Serbia bout, James and Suns All-NBA power forward Kevin Durant led the Americans in scoring, with 21 and 23 points in the effort.
The U.S. has won its matchups by an average margin of 24.75 points a night and will be suiting up against a Serbian club with only one All-Star in Jokic.
Atlanta Hawks sixth man Bogdan Bogdanovic is probably the second-most dangerous scoring option for Serbia. He notched the second-most points for the club in the last meeting, 14, on 6-of-14 shooting from the field (2-of-6 from long range), while grabbing six rebounds, passing for one assist, and snagging a steal. Jokic scored 20 points against the Americans, dished out eight dimes, grabbed five boards, and swiped four steals.
How To Watch
The action tips off at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on NBC and its streaming affiliate, Peacock, as well as other broadcast options like Fubo and Sling TV.
The victor of today’s matchup will square off in the gold medal game against the winner of the matchup that directly precedes it: a bout between jumbo-sized Team France, led by All-Defensive centers Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Team Germany, guided by Orlando Magic frontcourt mainstays Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner, as well as Brooklyn Nets point guard Dennis Schröder.
Predictions
Even if Embiid starts, look for All-NBA Lakers center Anthony Davis and All-Star Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo to earn the lion’s share of minutes against Jokic, the toughest defensive cover in the tournament. The Americans are looking to notch their fifth straight gold medal in the Olympic tournament. The Serbians lack the defensive acumen to stop them or the scoring firepower to match their output when Jokic sits.
Look for the Americans to cover their -16 spread in another blowout, and for Durant to put on a show once again as a mismatch nightmare. Minnesota Timberwolves All-NBA shooting guard Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, could take advantage of Serbia’s slower backcourt options.
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