July 26, 2024; Paris, FRANCE; United States flag bearer LeBron James waves the flag of Greece on the team boat along the Seine River during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
- Team USA tips off its 2024 Olympics run on Sunday, July 28 at 11:15 a.m. ET from Paris, France.
- Team USA dismantled Serbia in their lone matchup at the exhibition circuit, 105-79. Team USA did not lose a game in exhibition play.
- See the best picks, odds and a prediction for Sunday’s game below.
Team USA and Serbia begin their sprint to claim the Gold Medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics at 11:15 a.m. ET Sunday morning.
Team USA is the heavy favorite to win the tournament after sweeping their Summer Exhibition series in Abu Dhabi and London. Serbia has the 4th best odds to win the Gold, speckled with NBA stars such as Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nikola Jovic.
Keep scrolling for a further look at the latest odds, player prop picks and a prediction for Sunday morning’s tilt.
Team USA vs. Serbia Odds (Caesars)
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia | +13 (-115) | +575 | O 182.0 (-115) |
| Team USA | -13 (-115) | -950 | U 182.0 (-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.
Team USA, as expected, is a heavy favorite to win Game 1 in Paris over Serbia, opening at 13-point favorites according to Caesars. Other sportsbooks such as DraftKings set the spread at 12.5.
The U.S. is also a heavy favorite to win outright, sitting at -950 odds. Serbia is +575 to win outright on Caesars.
The Over/Under for this matchup sits at 182.0. For reference, the exhibition final for these teams was 107-79.
Player Props for Team USA vs. Serbia (July 28)
| Player Props (Subway Series) | Odds |
|---|---|
| LeBron James O 15.5 Points | -115 |
| Nikola Jokic O 18.5 Points | -140 |
| Anthony Edwards Over 1.5 3-Pointers Made | -125 |
All odds above via DraftKings Sportsbook.
LeBron seemed to have zero issue scoring at will during Team USA’s exhibition matchups, and the 39-year old has the NBA fans watching wondering just how many more years he has in him. I bet he’ll be comfortably over this total.
The Joker is by far Serbia’s best player and has the most experience against Team USA. For that reason, he’ll be their go-to for plenty of sets. I doubt Serbia eclipses 85 or so on Sunday, but Jokic will still get his.
Edwards’ total being just 1.5 is an easy pick. Edwards has been an active shooter for Team USA this summer, and he’ll have plenty of opportunity against a post-heavy team.
Team USA vs. Serbia Prediction
- Team USA vs. Serbia: USA -12 (-115)
I’m not sure there’s anyone out there who watches professional basketball that expects Team USA to lose this one, but the world is slowly catching up when it comes to basketball.
Team USA had a couple close calls in July to South Sudan and Germany, and the Serbian team is more used to the slight rules changes for Olympic play. But at the end of the day, don’t overthink this one. Team USA is the far more athletic group, has more experience playing at a high level and heavy momentum heading into the tournament following a sweep.
I’d expect the over to be the favorite for Sunday’s game, too. There are plenty of ways this one could get out of hand.
Here’s a quick look at the full roster for Serbia on Sunday:
Serbia’s Olympic roster is finally confirmed.
Nikola Jokic is officially back.
This team can absolutely medal.#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/82K0t55ofu
— Bryan Fonseca 🇵🇷 (@BryanFonsecaNY) July 23, 2024
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 matchup between Team USA and Serbia is set to take place on July 28th, and fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exciting game. Both teams are considered powerhouses in the sport, with a history of success in international competitions.
Team USA, led by head coach Gregg Popovich, boasts a roster filled with NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum. The team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing showing in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, where they finished in seventh place. With a renewed focus and determination, Team USA is aiming to reclaim their dominance on the international stage.
On the other hand, Serbia is a formidable opponent with a talented roster of their own. Led by head coach Igor Kokoskov, the team features NBA players such as Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Nemanja Bjelica. Serbia has a strong basketball tradition and has consistently been a top contender in international competitions.
When it comes to odds, Team USA is currently favored to win the matchup against Serbia. However, Serbia should not be underestimated, as they have the talent and experience to pull off an upset. The game is expected to be closely contested, with both teams showcasing their skills and strategies on the court.
In terms of picks and predictions, it is difficult to predict the outcome of this game with certainty. Both teams have the potential to come out on top, depending on factors such as teamwork, shooting efficiency, and defensive prowess. Fans can expect a high-scoring and intense game between two of the best basketball teams in the world.
Ultimately, the Team USA vs Serbia matchup is shaping up to be one of the most exciting games of the Olympic basketball tournament. Fans can look forward to witnessing top-tier basketball action as these two powerhouse teams battle it out for supremacy on the court. Be sure to tune in on July 28th to see which team will emerge victorious in this thrilling showdown.
