Team USA narrowly secured its place in the finals after a tense semifinal match against Serbia, winning 95-91 on Thursday. Initially favored by 17.5 points, market adjustments saw the odds shift to +15.5 by game time, with some bettors placing wagers at +16. The match unfolded like a decisive Game 7 of the NBA Finals, arguably representing a true gold medal challenge.
France, while known for its size and strength, may struggle to exhibit the versatility that a player like Nikola Jokic could provide. It is suggested to give Victor Wembanyama four more years before he is regarded as a leading figure in the sport, as he and guard Evan Fournier may face difficulties leading France to victory against Team USA.
USA opens as 12-point favorites over France, although sharp bettors have pushed that figure to 16 points. The odds indicate that USA is heavily favored at -1600 to win the gold medal on Saturday.
In the semifinal match, Serbia excelled from beyond the arc at one point, going 15-for-29 from three-point range, but ultimately finished at 15-for-39. This shooting slump allowed them to lose a significant 15-point lead.
For France, the strategy should focus on utilizing the strengths of Rudy Gobert and Wembanyama in critical moments to boost their chances.
With the approaching gold medal game between USA and France, some betting trends suggest considering the game total to go under, anticipating a physical matchup with tight defense and a favorable officiating approach for the home team. Given the current 16-point spread, there may be an opportunity for France to cover this line, despite not having the same prowess as Serbia.
Overall, the predictions favor France to cover the spread and the game total to be under 176.5 points.