USA vs Spain Odds & Prediction – Olympic Men’s Basketball Aug 3
Jayson Tatum of the United States (10) steps onto the pitch during a men’s basketball preliminary round match against the Czech Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)
- Team USA and Spain will meet in the men’s basketball quarter-finals Tuesday night at 12:40 a.m. EST
- These two teams have met in the last three Olympic Games
- Get the odds, preview and choose below
It’s a heavyweight battle in the quarterfinals of the men’s basketball tournament at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday night between Team USA and Spain. Departure is scheduled for 12:40 am EST.
The United States went 2-1 in the preliminary rounds, rebounding from an opening loss to France with back-to-back wins over Iran and then the Czech Republic. The Spaniards, meanwhile, had exactly the same record, beating Argentina and Japan but losing to Luka Doncic and Slovenia.
The winner of this competition will face Argentina or Australia in the semi-final.
USA vs Spain odds
| Team | Propagate | Moneyline | Total points at FanDuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | -12.5 (-106) | -1000 | Ov 180 (-110) |
| Spain | +12.5 (-114 | +560 | A 180 (-110) |
Odds as of August 2.
Familiar enemy for the United States
Team USA’s road to a fourth straight gold medal won’t be easy with Spain standing in their way to the quarter-finals. In fact, they faced Spain in the games of 2008, 2012 and 2016. In 2008 and 2012, the two countries faced each other in the final, with the United States winning gold each time. In London five years ago, they also beat Spain in the semi-final before beating Serbia in the grand final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhMxvuCCyos
Gregg Popovich’s side are 16-2 against their international rivals, but the last three meetings have been relatively close games that have been decided by single-digit numbers. The United States got off to a shaky start to this summer’s tournament, losing to France with an excruciating shot from the American star roster. However, the United States responded loudly in their next two competitions, edging Iran and the Czech Republic by 89 points overall.
Jayson Tatum paved the way for the Czech victory on Saturday, dropping a team-high 27 points, while Kevin Durant scored 23 alongside the Boston Celtics star. Their shot has also been significantly better since the game against France, draining just under 50% of their three points against the last two opponents.
Jayson Tatum v Czech Republic
27 points
10/16 FG
5/10 3PT
2 blocksOne of ours â˜˜ï¸ pic.twitter.com/Su4JBVsv9R
– Celtics Junkies (@Celtics_Junkies) July 31, 2021
However, Spain are going to be a much more difficult game. The USA team can’t afford to come out sloppy or play as individuals because if they do, they could end up going home without a medal. The chemistry and improved defense have been evident as the competition progresses and this will need to continue against the 2019 FIBA ​​World Cup winners.
Spain in search of revenge
The Spaniards are one of the most decorated countries in international basketball, but the youth are not exactly on their side at the Tokyo Olympics. Of their five starters, the only one under 30 is Alberto Abalde, who is 25. The likes of Ricky Rubio and Marc Gasol, among others, are no longer the most agile and lively.
While Spain got off to a good start with impressive wins over Argentina and Japan, Doncic and the Slovenes took their toll on Espana. With the loss, they finished second in their group, as did the United States. Rubio has been his country’s main offensive catalyst, averaging 21.3 points in three games. He went for 26 against a strong Argentina team, passing 5 for 6 from beyond the arc in the process.
If you want a more recent example of how new Cavs goalkeeper Ricky Rubio shot, he set up a clinic against Argentina. Finished the game with 26 points (5-6 of three), 5 rebounds, 4 assists. pic.twitter.com/qqLIX4EgvF
– Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) July 29, 2021
Controlling the pace of this competition will be key for Spain. With the states lacking in size on the inside, Marc Gasol and co. will have to attack the paint and try to dominate around the rim. Limiting the effectiveness of Americans from the perimeter is also important as they have shown their ability to warm up due to the wide range of shooters on their roster.
Which game are you most excited for? Tell us
Slovenia VS Germany
Spain VS USA
Italy VS France
Australia VS Argentina pic.twitter.com/jce1xuecIC– ClutchPoints NBA (@ClutchPointsNBA) August 1, 2021
The supporting cast around Rubio must produce because with Jrue Holiday likely defending the Cleveland Cavaliers guard, the ball will be forced out of his hands, meaning his teammates will have to play.
USA vs Spain Prediction
The United States and Spain met in pre-Olympic action, with the Americans winning 83-76. The Spaniards always seem to hang on and have a respectable fight against the triple gold medalists and I expect the same here.
The Moneyline offers virtually no value on the American team’s side. Leading up to the 2016 semi-final, which was a low-scoring affair, their previous five games were over the point count. However, the few weeks’ exhibition was also a hotly contested game with little offense. That being said, less is worth a bet.
Choice: Less than 180 points (-110)
Quinn Allen
Sports editor
Quinn Allen is a sports journalist, with a background in audiovisual journalism (BCIT ’17). He writes about European football, basketball and baseball for numerous sites around the world.