Aug 1, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; United States power forward Breanna Stewart (10) controls the ball against Belgium small forward Antonia Delaere (6) in the first half in a women’s group stage game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
- Team USA takes on Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday afternoon.
- The US cruised through group play, winning all 3 games. Nigeria went 2-1 in its group to advance to this round.
- Check out the section below to see our top picks for Wednesday’s important women’s hoops action.
Team USA continues its march toward a women’s basketball gold medal on Wednesday afternoon against Nigeria. The US squad is loaded with WNBA stars, while Nigeria’s team has done something historic, becoming the first African basketball team (men’s or women’s) to advance to the quarterfinals. Will Team USA win comfortably yet again? Or will Nigeria’s dream run continue? Tune in to NBC or the Peacock app at 3:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon to find out.
Team USA vs Nigeria Picks
- Under 157.5 points (-110)
- Breanna Stewart under 17.5 points (-115)
I’ll admit I don’t know much about Nigeria’s team. I do know that Ezinne Kalu has been great this tournament. She led Nigeria with 21 points in the last game against Canada. But I do know how this round of Olympic basketball differs from group play.
In group play, it was important to win by as many points as possible. Now, it’s just about surviving and advancing. What does that mean for this game? Well, it means the US won’t keep its foot on the gas pedal if it takes a big lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Thus, I’ll take the under on 157.5 points at -110 odds on bet365. This just feels like a game the US will control from the opening tip, winning 80-60 or something like that.
I also believe Breanna Stewart, as a veteran, would be one of the players to get extra rest in case of a blowout. Therefore, I like the under for her at 17.5 points, which you can find at -115 odds on bet365.
Team USA vs Nigeria Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | +27.5 (+100) | N/A | O 157.5 (-110) |
| USA | -27.5 (-120) | N/A | U 157.5 (-110) |
Odds via bet365 as of Tuesday, August 6. Use bet365 promo code SBDXLM when you sign up for an account and you will be able to claim a choice between two strong welcome bonuses — a first-bet safety net of up to $1,000 or $150 in bonus bets when you place your first $5+ wager.
Team USA is a 27.5-point favorite in this quarterfinals matchup. The odds for the US to win by 28+ points are -120. Nigeria to cover is +100 on bet365. Due to that massive spread, there are no moneyline odds for this game. As mentioned above, the over/under is set at 157.5 points. I’ll take the under at -110, but you can also find the over at -110 odds.
Team USA vs Nigeria Results
Team USA cruised through Group C at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning all 3 games over Japan, Belgium and Germany comfortably. The team had 3 different leading scorers. Here’s a look at the results for the Americans thus far as we prepare for the quarterfinal round:
- USA 102, Japan 76 (A’ja Wilson — 24 points)
- USA 87, Belgium 74 (Breanna Stewart — 26 points)
- USA 87, Germany 68 (Jackie Young — 19 points)
Nigeria, on the other hand, had to scrap a bit more to get to this point. Here’s a look at the results for the Nigerian squad in Group B:
- Nigeria 75, Australia 62 (Ezinne Kalu — 19 points)
- France 75, Nigeria 54 (Ezinne Kalu — 18 points)
- Nigeria 79, Canada 70 (Ezinne Kalu — 21 points)
As you can see, if Team USA manages to limit the damage done by Kalu, there’s a good chance to win. She’s been dynamic in this tournament and is playing with a lot of confidence. Can she do it one more time against the Americans? Or will Team USA’s star power prevail? Find out at 3:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon on NBC and Peacock.
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 Olympic Women’s Basketball Quarterfinals are set to kick off with an exciting matchup between Team USA and Nigeria. Both teams have shown their strength and determination throughout the tournament, making this game a highly anticipated one.
Team USA, led by head coach Dawn Staley, is coming into this game as the heavy favorite. The team boasts a roster filled with WNBA stars such as Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart. With their experience and talent, Team USA has been dominant in the tournament so far, winning all of their group stage games by an average margin of 30 points.
On the other hand, Nigeria has been a surprise package in the tournament. The team, coached by Otis Hughley, has shown great resilience and teamwork, upsetting higher-ranked teams like France in the group stage. Nigeria’s roster is filled with talented players such as Evelyn Akhator and Aisha Mohammed, who have been instrumental in their success so far.
In terms of predictions, it is likely that Team USA will come out on top in this matchup. Their depth and experience give them a significant advantage over Nigeria. However, Nigeria has shown that they are not to be underestimated, and they could potentially cause an upset if they play to their full potential.
In terms of odds, most sportsbooks have Team USA as the overwhelming favorite to win this game. The odds for Nigeria pulling off an upset are much higher, reflecting the perceived gap in talent between the two teams.
As for picks, it is safe to say that Team USA is the smart choice to win this game. Their dominance in the tournament so far and their superior talent make them the clear favorite. However, Nigeria has shown that they are capable of causing upsets, so fans can expect an exciting and competitive game between these two teams.
Overall, the Team USA vs Nigeria matchup in the Olympic Women’s Basketball Quarterfinals promises to be a thrilling contest. Fans can expect to see high-quality basketball from both teams as they battle it out for a spot in the semifinals.
