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Well, that was close.
After four straight blowout wins, Team USA men’s basketball finally hit a roadblock in the Paris Olympics. The Americans trailed for most of their semifinal matchup against Serbia, going down by as many as 17 points before mounting a furious fourth-quarter comeback.
Thanks to a spectacular shooting performance from Steph Curry (36 points) and a late burst from LeBron James, Team USA prevailed in a 95-91 nailbiter. Now, the Americans will face France in the gold medal game on Saturday.
France also advanced after a four-point win in the semifinals, overcoming an early deficit and outlasting Germany 73-69. It was a sloppy game with 28 combined turnovers and poor shooting on both sides, but France came out on top.
You can bet on Team USA versus France at many online sportsbooks. Most online betting sites have plenty of odds and lines for the game, along with special promotions for new customers.
Can the Americans win their fifth straight gold medal? Or will France end Team USA’s run with its first gold medal in men’s basketball?
Here’s everything to know about this showdown along with some of our best bets.
United States vs. France Betting Preview
Game Details
- Who: United States vs. France
- When: Saturday, Aug. 10
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Bercy Arena (Paris, France)
Odds Summary
- Moneyline: USA -1650, France +950
- Spread: USA -16.5 (-112), France +16.5 (-108)
- Total: Over/Under 176.5 (-110/-110)
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Subject to change.
Despite its close call in the semifinals, Team USA still enters this game as a double-digit favorite against France. That’s not surprising, as the Americans are the No. 1 seed and have been heavy favorites to win gold throughout the entire tournament.
Team USA is still unbeaten this summer, going 10-0 since the start of exhibition play and 5-0 in the Olympics. The Americans have a plus-103 point differential in the Olympics, outscoring opponents by an average of 20.6 points per game.
France, on the other hand, hasn’t been as dominant. The French went 2-1 in group play, needing overtime to beat Japan and losing by 14 points to Germany. Overall, they’re 4-1 with a plus-15 point differential.
The main issue for France is that it lacks the firepower needed to keep up with the United States. France’s highest point total in the Olympics was 94, which came in overtime. Meanwhile, the Americans have scored at least 95 points during regulation in every game.
After surviving its first real brush with adversity in the semis, Team USA proved it has the tenacity to win in crunch time. The Americans are loaded with superstars who have won multiple NBA Finals, so they know how to play under pressure.
That said, this matchup won’t be easy for the Americans. France is playing on its home soil and has one of the best players in the world in Victor Wembanyama, so it will put up a fight.
However, Team USA’s talent advantage will be too much to overcome. Expect another gold medal for the Americans and a silver medal for the French.
United States vs. France Best Bets
France +16.5 (-108)
France won’t win, but it should be able to cover the spread.
As mentioned, this is essentially a home game for the French, which will give the underdogs a boost. They’ll be looking to start strong and put immediate pressure on the Americans, who may need some time to settle in.
Furthermore, Wembanyama is a matchup nightmare for any opponent. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year has already made his mark on the league, so he’ll have no problem attacking Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis down low.
If the French can replicate their gameplan against Germany by forcing turnovers and contesting perimeter shots, they should be able to keep the score relatively close.
Victor Wembanyama Under 16.5 Points (-120)
As talented as Wembanyama is, he’s been mired in a massive shooting slump. The 20-year-old has struggled offensively in his first Olympics, scoring just 18 points over his last two games combined. His shot has abandoned him, as he’s gone 6-for-27 (22%) from the floor, including a dismal 1-for-14 (7%) from beyond the arc.
Wembanyama has scored fewer than 15 points in three straight games and is averaging 13.8 points per game in the Olympics. We don’t expect his shooting stroke to magically improve during the biggest game of his life, especially against his toughest competition yet.
Wemby will impact the game in other ways, but don’t expect him to start raining threes and score a bunch of points.
How to Bet Team USA vs. France
Betting on USA vs. France is just like betting on a regular NBA game. Betting sites will have traditional markets like moneyline, spread and total. These markets are all straightforward and easy to understand for newer and casual bettors.
Beyond that, books will offer various prop bets on markets like the winning margin, first-half spread and whether the game will go to overtime. There will also be player props available for statistics like how many points, rebounds or assists a player will record. These bets require more research and are better options for more serious basketball fans and sports bettors.
Bettors can also combine multiple wagers from the game into a same-game parlay. These bets are riskier and less likely to hit, but they come with higher odds and payouts.
Whichever market you bet on, remember that this is a high-pressure game played in unfamiliar territory for both teams. Accordingly, player performances may be a bit more volatile than usual, especially compared to an NBA game where players have a more defined routine.
As such, remember to bet responsibly and limit your unit size to reasonable amounts.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
