Team USA Goes For Fifth Straight Gold Against France
The Men's Gold Medal Basketball Odds May Be Too Wide...
The game basketball fans have been waiting four years for is finally back: the men’s basketball gold medal match. This is a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 gold medal match where Team USA defeated France in a close battle. The Men’s Gold Medal Basketball odds outline a similar result: Team USA are -1600 to win the game. France are +820 underdogs to shock the world and grab gold on their home floor.
Oddsmakers aren’t expecting as close of a match this time around, with USA as -16.5 favorites. The total for the game is set at 177.5.
Despite the large spread and expected victory for Team USA, there is a bit of a rivalry growing between these two countries. In Tokyo 2020, France ended Team USA’s 25-game Olympic win streak in the group phase. Team USA got their revenge in the gold medal match.
Let’s dive further into the Men’s Gold Medal Basketball odds to find the optimal basketball Olympic predictions.
Odds At Start Of The Tournament
Before the games were played, the oddsmakers already “knew” who would be competing for the gold medal. Team USA was heavily expected to be in the gold medal game. Although their path here has been a bit bumpy, here they are.
France, on the other hand, started the tournament with the third-shortest odds to win gold.
Here were the Olympic basketball odds at the beginning of the tournament.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| USA | -400 |
| Canada | +1000 |
| France | +1500 |
| Serbia | +1500 |
| Germany | +2500 |
| Australia | +4000 |
| Greece | +5000 |
| Spain | +7500 |
| South Sudan | +15000 |
| Puerto Rico | +25000 |
| Brazil | +25000 |
| Japan | +50000 |
Tokyo 2020 Gold Medal Game
In Tokyo 2020, the United States and France squared off for the third consecutive Olympic gold medal game, with the Americans holding a perfect 2-0 record in previous finals. France initiated a strong start, outscoring the U.S. 10-4 early in the first quarter. However, Kevin Durant ignited a Team USA comeback with 12 first-quarter points. Rudy Gobert contributed six points for France.
Durant continued his scoring prowess into the second quarter, amassing 21 points in just 16 minutes of action. France, led by Gobert’s dominant inside presence, stayed within striking distance, trailing by 12 points at one point in the quarter.
The Americans extended their advantage in the third quarter, behind Durant’s 27-point game. The U.S. capitalized on 14 French turnovers to build a substantial lead. A late three-pointer by Nicolas Batum narrowed the gap before the end of the period. Gobert remained France’s leading scorer.
The United States secured its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal with an 87-82 victory. Durant finished with a game-high 29 points, narrowly missing his Olympic scoring record.
Although many of the key players for France are the same as in 2020, France’s star Rudy Gobert has been largely ineffective in this Olympic tournament. France now has Victor Wembanayama, a force Team USA didn’t have to deal with last time.
Team USA now has a lot more talent to help out Durant. This rematch will look similar to Tokyo 2020, with many familiar faces, but we expecting a very different game.
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Exciting Semi-Final Games
After a narrow victory against Germany, France has clinched a spot in the gold medal game, a historic achievement as it marks the first time since Atlanta 1996 that a host nation has reached the men’s basketball final.
Victor Wembanyama’s impact extended far beyond his modest stat line of 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. While his shooting efficiency remained inconsistent, his defensive prowess and playmaking were instrumental.
His ability to deter drives and protect the rim was evident in Germany’s reduced paint points compared to their tournament average.
Guerschon Yabusele’s standout performance earned him MVP chants from the passionate Parisian crowd.
Team USA won their semi-final game in a nail-biter as well. Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic (17 points and 11 assists) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (20 points) led most of the game, but couldn’t get past Steph Curry’s heroics and Team USA’s staunch late-game defense.
Serbia came out hot in the first quarter, taking an eight-point lead that grew to 17 at one point. They went into halftime up by 11 points even with Curry’s hot start.
The second half looked like it may have been one for the history books as Serbia again extended their lead to 13 points heading into the fourth quarter. This is when the US came alive.
Joel Embiid and Curry led Team USA’s scoring in the fourth quarter while the rest of the squad locked in on defense to hold Serbia to only 15 total points. Team USA scored 32.
LeBron James led the team in rebounds and assists, with a 16-point triple-double. But the real story was Curry.
Curry had struggled throughout the tournament but came alive with 36 points on 9-of-14 shooting from three. He also chipped in eight rebounds.
After a close win, the Men’s Gold Medal Basketball Odds still heavily favor Team USA, but it may be too wide of a spread.
For Olympics betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
