Olympic Basketball Semifinals Preview
Olympic Basketball Semifinals Preview
On Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. men’s basketball team takes on Brazil and is a 27-point favorite (-20000 ML). Barring one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history, the U.S. will advance to the semifinals on Thursday to face Serbia.
Before we break down that game, let’s talk about the first game on Tuesday, which saw Germany beat Greece 76-63. The Germans, who are reigning World Champions, were 8-point favorites (-110). NBA veterans Dennis Schroder (19.7ppg, 9.0apg) and Franz Wagner (21.7ppg, 5rpg) have been instrumental in them getting past Group A, joining the U.S. and Canada as the only teams to go undefeated heading into knockout play. Wagner had 18 points to lead Germany over Greece, while Schroder added 13 points and eight assists. The Germans also forced 15 turnovers that led to 20 points.
Germany will take on the home team France, after they upset Canada (8-point favorites) on Thursday. Canada had all the NBA players led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, Jamal Murray and R.J. Barrett, but couldn’t get to the semifinal. They had just one Olympic medal in 11 appearances which was a silver from 1936.
It was Guerschon Yabusele who came up big with 20 points and five rebounds, while Isaia Cordinier added 20 points. Victor Wembanyama was held to just five points in 26 minutes and had 10 rebounds. His defense along with the rest of the French team held the Canadiens to just 38 percent shooting from the field. Brooks finished making just one of nine from the field and Murray shot just three of 13. Even though Canada had 10 NBA players, their post play got them in the end. Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell and Khem Birch couldn’t keep up with Rudy Gobert, Wembanyama and Yabusele, who is 6-8, 270.
France will now take on Germany and if the French play that kind of suffocating defense, they should win and cover that game. The Germans don’t have the talent that the Canadians had. They have a few decent big men in Daniel Theis and Mo Wagner, but they will need to make at least 40% of their three-point attempts to have a chance.
The game of the day on Tuesday was Serbia, who was a 6.5-point favorite against Australia, and came back to win 95-90 in overtime. Nikola Jokic scored 21 points and 14 boards to lead Serbia, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 points. The Aussies were up by 24 points in the first half and needed a Patty Mills jumper at the end of regulation to force overtime. Serbia will now take on the winner of the Brazil/USA team. If they face the U.S., it will be the second time. Last Sunday, the United States won with ease 110-84 as Kevin Durant scored 23 points off the bench with nine assists and eight boards. LeBron James added 21 points, nine assists and eight boards. Durant and James combined for 17 of 22 from the field. Expect a similar result though Jokic could have a monster game to keep it close. Serbia just doesn’t have enough NBA-level talent to win this game.
