Jul 30, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts against Spain in a men’s basketball group stage match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
- Greece and Australia meet in the final game of Group A action at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday.
- Greece (0-2 in Group A) needs a win over Australia (1-1) to keep its hopes of advancing to the knockout round of the tournament alive.
- Keep reading below for our favorite picks from Friday’s exciting Olympic showdown.
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads his Greek squad into what could be its final game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s a must-win matchup for the Greeks, who have yet to win in Group A play. Australia will likely advance to the next round with a win, so the pressure is on. The game is set to tip off at 7:30 a.m. ET and can be seen on the Peacock app.
Greece vs Australia Picks
- Greece +5.5 (-110)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo 30+ points (+120)
Don’t expect Greece to go down without a fight. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only NBA player on Greek side, so he’s going to have to play like a superhero if Greece is going to have a chance to pull off the upset. The Australians don’t have a ton of top-end NBA talent, led by guys like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum and Josh Giddey, but almost the entire roster is currently in the league.
That’ll make life difficult for Giannis and company, but this is a Greek side that has already flirted with upsets in Group A action. Greece gave group leader Canada a scare in the opener, falling 86-79 and outscoring the Canadians by 3 points in the second half.
Australia winning and covering the spread seems like a tough task when the Greeks have far and away the best player in this game (and quite possibly the group, depending on how you feel about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Canada), so I’ll take Greece to cover at -110 odds on BetMGM.
Antetokounmpo scored 34 points against Canada, so we know he’s capable of massive scoring outputs. Heck, anyone who has watched him over the last several years with the Milwaukee Bucks knows what he can do with the ball in his hands. The Greeks will turn to their leader early and often in this contest, so taking Giannis to score 30+ points at +120 odds via BetMGM is a play I’m willing to make.
Greece vs Australia Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | +5.5 (-110) | +175 | O 167.5 (-120) |
| Australia | -5.5 (-110) | -225 | U 167.5 (-105) |
Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Sign up for BetMGM today using promo code DIME1500 and get a $1,500 first-bet offer from the King of Sportsbooks.
As I detailed above, I like Greece to at least cover in this game. They’ve been a tough out so far in this tournament, and I expect them to finish Group A action by giving it all they’ve got. Will that be enough to win? Maybe not, but a close game in the fourth quarter seems likely. The Greeks are +175 on the moneyline, compared to -225 for the Aussies, so there’s value available if you think Giannis and company can pull off the upset and win outright. The over/under for this game is set at 167.5 points. There’s slightly more juice on the over at -120, with the under sporting -105 odds.
Greece vs Australia Olympic Performances
Australia is 1-1 entering the third game of group play on Friday, having taken down Spain and lost to group leader Canada.
Here’s a look at the Aussies’ results so far, including the team’s leading scorer in each game:
- Australia 92, Spain 80 (Jock Landale — 20 points)
- Canada 93, Australia 83 (Josh Giddey — 19 points)
And here’s a look at Greece’s results through 2 games. The Greeks are 0-2, but have played some tight games thus far in Paris:
- Canada 86, Greece 79 (Giannis Antetokounmpo — 34 points)
- Spain 84, Greece 77 (Giannis Antetokounmpo — 27 points)
Which players will step up on Friday in Paris?
Adam is an avid college sports fan, covering both football and basketball. During the summer months, he’s all-in on MLB action, favoring pitcher strikeout parlays.
The highly anticipated matchup between Greece and Australia in Olympic basketball is set to take place on August 2nd, and fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this exciting game. Both teams have a strong history in international basketball, making this game one to watch.
Greece, led by NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, is coming into the Olympics with high expectations. The team has a talented roster that includes players such as Kostas Sloukas and Nick Calathes, who have experience playing at the highest level of competition. With their strong defensive play and ability to score in transition, Greece is expected to put up a tough fight against Australia.
On the other hand, Australia is also a formidable opponent with a roster full of NBA talent. Players like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, and Aron Baynes have proven themselves on the international stage and will be looking to make a statement in this game. Australia’s strong perimeter shooting and physical style of play could pose a challenge for Greece.
In terms of predictions and odds for this matchup, it’s expected to be a close game with both teams having a chance to come out on top. However, based on recent performances and overall talent, Greece may have a slight edge over Australia. The odds could favor Greece by a narrow margin, but anything can happen in basketball, especially in the high-pressure environment of the Olympics.
Ultimately, fans can expect an exciting and competitive game between Greece and Australia on August 2nd. Both teams are hungry for a win and will be giving it their all on the court. It’s sure to be a thrilling matchup that basketball fans won’t want to miss.
