Thomas Coex / AFP
You can bet on Tuesday’s Paris Olympics competition at the top sports betting sites.
I am particularly interested in attacking the men’s basketball slate. For your best bets, I recommend investing in Greece in its match against Spain, the Australia-Canada under, and Japan in its game against France.
Picks Summary
- Greece -3.5 (-120)
- Australia-Canada Under 179.5 (-105)
- Japan +17.5 (-110)
*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Greece vs. Spain
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 05:00 AM ET at Pierre Mauroy Stadium
Spain’s Interior Defense
It used to be that Spain had strong inside scoring talent and good interior defense. But this isn’t the Spain of previous years.
Instead, this is a Spain that allowed Australia’s Jock Landale to dominate inside in the opening match.
Giannis
If Landale can dominate for Australia inside against the Spaniards, then just imagine what Giannis can do – Landale is a good player, sure, but he’s nowhere as near Giannis in terms of talent.
Giannis amassed 34 points in Greece’s opener against a well-reputed Canada side. He is going to level at least as much damage against impoverished Spain, a Spanish side that lacks the NBA talent that it used to have.
Aided by Giannis who will get a lot of attention from the defense and therefore find open teammates to pass to, the Greeks should also perform much more efficiently behind the arc than they did in their opening match against Canada.
Giannis is also known as a terrific interior defender. He’ll help limit a Spanish side that already struggles to score inside but that also lacks three-point shooting efficiency.
Basketball Pick: Greece -3.5 (-120) at Bet365
Australia vs. Canada
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 07:30 AM ET at Pierre Mauroy Stadium
Australia’s Perimeter Defenders
The key for Australia to limit Canada’s scoring total is to limit its guard play. Guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray are crucial for Canada’s chances. They are Canada’s most talented NBA guys.
I like Australia’s defense because it has a wealthy stock of perimeter defenders with which to limit opposing guards.
The Charlotte Hornets pursued Josh Green largely for his perimeter defense.
Dante Exum of the Dallas Mavericks could likewise add a lot of defensive quality on the perimeter if he plays – there is a burgeoning sense that he will be healthy in time for the game.
Canada’s Perimeter Defenders
But Canada also has strong perimeter defense. Luguentz Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dillon Brooks have all at least received All-NBA Defensive Team votes.
They are all very capable of limiting Australia’s host of guards, guys like Green, Josh Giddey, and others on whom Australia leans on to score.
With this collection of strong perimeter defense on both sides, this will be a low-scoring contest.
Canada’s Interior Defense Will Look Better
It is hard for any interior defense to look good when its opponent has Giannis.
Jock Landale has complemented Australia’s guard play with his inside scoring, but Canada does have NBA talent guarding the rim. Landale will have a harder time against the Canadians than he did against Spain with its reliance on guys who are no longer in the NBA.
Basketball Pick: Under 179.5 (-105) at Bet365
France vs. Japan
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 11:15 AM ET at Pierre Mauroy Stadium
France’s Strength on Defense
The French are best known for their talented bigs. Let’s give them the credit that they deserve: Victor Wembanyama is a young sensation in the NBA who is known on defense for his strength inside, and Rudy Gobert repeatedly gets named Defensive Player of the Year.
With these twin towers, France is poised to lock down any offense that wants to rely on scoring inside.
Japan’s Offense
The Japanese, however, are not reliant on scoring inside. They will not rely on trying to threaten France’s defense in its area of strength.
Instead, they rely on strong perimeter play. They lean on three-point shooting. Look out here for Yuta Watanabe, an efficient shooter who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Japan also compensates for its lack of size by being fast. Look out for its speed in transition by means of which Japan can score before France sets up its interior defense.
When in the half-court, Los Angeles Laker Rui Hachimura still ought to improve on his inside scoring performance relative to his opening match disappointment. He was heavily sought after coming out of college, and he has a good NBA career going.
France’s Offense
The French rely too heavily on Wembanyama, who might be fatigued on Tuesday after he had to really carry the French against Brazil.
Brazil is not a good team, and France’s insufficiently good guard play represents an alarming consideration.
Basketball Pick: Japan +17.5 (-110) at Bet365
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
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