Jul 31, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; Serbia power forward Nikola Jokic (15) celebrates with coaches and teammates after a play in the third quarter against Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
- Serbia and South Sudan face off in a key Group C matchup Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at the 2024 Summer Olympics from Paris, France.
- South Sudan and Serbia have each beaten Puerto Rico and fallen to the USA these Olympics. The winner of this matchup will clinch a spot in the quarterfinals while the loser would need to meet certain differential requirements to move on.
- See the best picks, odds and a prediction for Saturday’s game below.
We’ve got a good one on the docket for Saturday.
South Sudan and Serbia face off in the final matchup of the Group Stage, looking to clinch the No. 2 qualifying spot in Group C. Both squads sit at 3 points heading into Saturday’s game and both defeated Puerto Rico while falling to the United States.
The winner of this game moves on to the quarterfinals, but Serbia can also clinch by losing by less than 23 points. South Sudan, on the other hand, can afford to lose by less than 3 and still qualify.
Keep scrolling for the latest odds, player prop picks and a prediction for Saturday’s decisive matchup.
Serbia vs. South Sudan Odds (Caesars)
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia | -14 (-115) | -1200 | O 179.5 (-115) |
| South Sudan | +14 (-115) | +650 | U 179.5 (-115) |
Odds above via Caesars Sportsbook. Check out our Caesars Promo Code for a look at one of the best welcome offers in the business.
As you can see, Serbia is the heavy favorite to win Saturday’s contest at -1200, sitting pretty as 14-point favorites. South Sudan sits at -115 odds to win or keep the game within 14 points. If you feel that South Sudan is going to pull off the upset and win outright, odds sit at +650.
The Over/Under for this game is 179.5 according to Caesars, both with -115 odds.
Keep in mind: With Puerto Rico being arguably the worst team in the Olympic field and Team USA being arguably the best, it’s difficult to judge trends against this total. If you want some rough numbers regardless, Serbia is averaging 95 points per game so far in Paris while South Sudan is averaging 88.
Player Props for Serbia vs. South Sudan (Aug 3)
| Player Props | Odds |
|---|---|
| Carlik Jones O 6.5 Assists | -140 |
| Nikola Jokic O 18.5 Points | -130 |
| Nuni Omot O 1.5 3-Pointers Made | -150 |
All odds above via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jones is the leader of this South Sudan team, averaging 6.5 per game across his 2 Olympic performances. Because South Sudan has the height advantage in this game, Jones could thrive here. South Sudan is also a high percentage shooting team from range, which should give Jones a few assists as the lead guard.
I don’t need to explain myself much here. Jokic is the best player on the floor and can score from anywhere on the court. He’s the leader of this Serbia team and should drop 20+ on Saturday.
Omot is South Sudan’s most consistent 3-point shooter and has drilled 5 shots from range across his past 2 games. He finished over this total in both games.
Serbia vs. South Sudan Prediction
- Serbia vs. South Sudan: South Sudan +14 (-115)
South Sudan has been vastly underrated by oddsmakers throughout these Olympics. They can shoot well from range, are crazy athletic and have impressive size. They’ve posted better rebounding and blocking numbers compared to Serbia and are the far superior team from range.
I really think South Sudan will own the boards in this game, and I seriously considered South Sudan +650. The reason I didn’t pull the trigger is Nikola Jokic.
There’s the elephant in the room. In a game between 2 fairly evenly matched teams, always take the team with the best player on the floor. South Sudan has a bit of a turnover problem and does not move the ball as well as Serbia. South Sudan also cannot afford an off day from Carlik Jones, who has been their bucket-getter in late game situations.
Again, I would not be surprised if South Sudan wins this one outright, but I’ll happily take 14 points at -115 in this scenario.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South and contributor with SBD!
The highly anticipated Olympic basketball match between South Sudan and Serbia is set to take place on August 3rd, and fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this exciting game. Both teams have been training hard and are ready to give it their all on the court.
South Sudan, a relatively new team in the world of international basketball, will be looking to make a statement in this match. Led by their star player, Luol Deng, they have shown great potential and are determined to prove themselves against more established teams like Serbia. With their speed and agility, South Sudan will be looking to outmaneuver their opponents and come out on top.
On the other hand, Serbia is a powerhouse in the world of basketball, with a long history of success in international competitions. Led by players like Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic, they have a strong roster and are known for their skillful play and teamwork. Serbia will be looking to dominate the court and secure a victory against South Sudan.
In terms of odds, Serbia is the clear favorite in this match. Their experience and talent give them an edge over South Sudan, who are still developing as a team. However, upsets are always possible in sports, and South Sudan could surprise everyone with a strong performance.
As for picks, it’s likely that Serbia will come out on top in this match. Their depth and skill should give them the advantage over South Sudan. However, fans should not count out the underdog team, as anything can happen in sports.
Overall, the South Sudan vs Serbia match is sure to be an exciting one for basketball fans around the world. Both teams have something to prove, and it will be interesting to see how the game unfolds on August 3rd. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling showdown on the basketball court.
