OLYMPICS MEN’S BASKETBALL – 8/2/2024
GREECE VS. AUSTRALIA – 4:30AM
Greece takes on Australia Friday morning in what will be both team’s final pool play game. Australia is currently in 2nd place in Group A with a win against Spain and a loss against Canada while Greece is in last place with two losses so far and their point differential currently sitting at -14. Although this is a must win game for Greece in order to keep their medal hopes alive, they would need to win by 9 or more points to really give themselves a chance at advancing to the quarter final round based on point differential. That’s a pretty tall task for a team that is coming into this matchup as a 5.5 point underdog and I think it’s safe to assume Australia will win this game with the way Greece struggled against Spain who is a much less talented team (not to mention an Australia win here will clinch them a spot in the Quarterfinals). There’s value in taking Australia to cover the 5.5 point spread as Greece has lost both of its pool play games so far by 7 points but you can get yourself a bigger payout if you leverage a player performance double. Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels is a workhorse for team Australia who has played at least 28 or more minutes so far in both pool play games and has scored 10+ points in each Olympic game he has played so far. He will be able to take advantage of weaker guard matchups in this game and has an excellent chance to score 10+ again.
The pick: PLAYER PERFORMANCE DOUBLE – Dyson Daniels to score 10+ points/Australia to win
SPAIN VS. CANADA – 8:15AM
Canada will be looking to wrap up an undefeated pool play campaign Friday morning against Team Spain who is coming off the only true upset victory so far in the Olympics after they beat Greece on Tuesday. Canada comes into this game as a 9.5 point favorite and although Spain was able to defy the expectations against Greece earlier this week this is a much more difficult matchup and I just don’t see a path to victory for them with the fire power Canada brings to the table. A player performance double will be the best way to maximize your value in this matchup. We have already won a couple of bets in the past week on RJ Barrett to score plus a Canada win and if it’s not broke why fix it? RJ scored 23 points versus Greece and 24 against Australia. With opposing defenses fixated on containing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander it has opened the floor for Barrett to attack the lane and get easy baskets. Look for this to continue against Spain.
The pick: PLAYER PERFORMANCE DOUBLE – R.J. Barrett to score 20+ points/Canada to win
LONG SHOT BET
4 Leg Parlay +8198
Patty Mills to score 20+ points
Yuki Kawamura to score 20+ points
RJ Barrett to score 20+ points
Victor Wembanyama to score 20+ points
A $5 wager on this would win $409.93.