Australia vs. Spain: Preview and prediction for 2024 Paris Olympics | July 27, 2024
The 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball event will kick off with Australia facing Spain in a Group A clash on Saturday. The game is the first of three played by each team to determine who advances to the semifinals.
Australia finished third at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and qualified for the 2024 edition after placing 10th in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Australia secured a 6-1-1 record in their Olympic preparation games over the last three weeks, losing only to Team USA and drawing against Japan.
Meanwhile, Spain qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the qualifying tournament held in Spain, beating the Bahamas in the final in July. The Spanish team went undefeated in their two Olympic preparation games after defeating Argentina and Puerto Rico.
Australia vs. Spain: Preview, prediction and odds
The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 a.m. ET on Saturday at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. It will air live on CNBC and Peacock, and will be available to livestream via FuboTV.
Moneyline: Australia (-238) vs Spain (+195)
Spread: Australia (-5.5) vs Spain (+5.5)
Total (O/U): 166.5
Note: The odds could change close to the game.
The Australian roster includes:
- Dyson Daniels, G
- Matthew Dellavedova, G
- Dante Exum, G
- Josh Giddey, G
- Josh Green, G
- Joe Ingles, F
- Nick Kay, F
- Jock Landale, C
- Will Magnay, C
- Jack McVeigh, F
- Patty Mills, G
- Duop Reath, C
Meanwhile, Spain's roster includes:
- Santi Aldama, F
- Dario Brizuela, G
- Lorenzo Brown, G
- Alberto Diaz, G
- Rudy Fernandez, F
- Usman Garuba, F
- Juancho Hernangomez, F
- Willy Hernangomez, C
- Sergio Llull, G
- Juan Nunez, G
- Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, F
- Jaime Pradilla, C
Australia vs. Spain prediction
Given Australia's form in the lead up to the Games, they are expected to start off with a win. Australia has a lot of NBA talent available and its roster boasts of a good mix of young and veteran players that should give them the edge in the contest.
Do you think Australia or Spain could go all the way and win the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.