Puerto Rico vs Serbia Preview and Prediction for 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball | July 31, 2024
Puerto Rico will take on Serbia at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday in a highly-anticipated encounter. The Group C matchup is a must-win game for both teams after losing their opening games.
Serbia missed out on a medal at the last Olympic Games but did win the silver at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Before then, many of the nation's players were also part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which finished second at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. With a roster filled with talent, Svetislav Pešić's men will be targeting another medal this summer.
Puerto Rico qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 20 years after missing out on the last four editions of the tournament. During their 2004 appearance, the team made a splash when they pulled off a historic upset by defeating Team USA 92-73 in the opening game. Puerto Rico will be hoping that this is the year they can break their medal drought in the basketball event.
Puerto Rico vs. Serbia 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball: Odds, Preview and Prediction
Puerto Rico and Serbia will play at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d'ASCQ on Wednesday, July 31. The game will tip off at 11:15 a.m. EST, can be watched on E! channel and will also be available on stream on FuboTV and Peacock. Below are the odds for the game:
Moneyline: Serbia (-2500), Puerto Rico (+1100)
Spread: Serbia (-17.5)
Total (Over/Under): 172.5 points
Puerto Rico vs. Serbia 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball: Preview
Puerto Rico enters the game after a devastating 90-79 loss to South Sudan. They did not win any of their four exhibition games in the run-up to the competition and will be desperate for a win against Serbia on Wednesday.
Coach Nelson Colon will once again look to his backcourt partnership of Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters to lead the way. New Orleans Pelicans' guard Alvarado was exceptional in the opening game, scoring a game-high 26 points and chipping in with five assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Waters recorded 18 points and four assists.
With three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic leading the way, Serbia enters this game as heavy favorites. A 110-84 loss to the USA will have lit a fire under a Serbian team that entered the 2024 Paris Olympics as one of the favorites.
Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic will be another player to watch out for. The 31-year-old showed glimpses of brilliance against USA but will be expected to do more in the upcoming games versus Puerto Rico and South Sudan.
Puerto Rico has lost all five encounters between these two sides in international basketball.
Puerto Rico vs. Serbia 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball: Predicted starting lineups
Puerto Rico
PG Jose Alvarado, SG -Tremont Waters, SF - Isaiah Pineiro, PF - Ismael Romero, C - George Conditt
Serbia
PG - Aleksa Avramović, SG - Bogdan Bogdanović, SF - Ognjen Dobrić, PF - Nikola Jokic, C - Filip Petrušev
Puerto Rico vs. Serbia 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball: Prediction
Serbia will be looking to make a statement after a disappointing loss to start their campaign. The team was competitive against the United States in the first three quarters. They passed the ball well but will have to shoot better from behind the arc if they hope to fulfill their potential.
Puerto Rico will need a win to keep any realistic tournament hopes alive. They will have trouble keeping up with Serbia's passing and ability to spread the court. The team managed just 79 points in their first game and will need to be better on the offensive side if they stand a chance in this matchup.
This Serbian team is filled with NBA stars and highly-rated players who compete in some of Europe's biggest leagues. Puerto Rico will have trouble keeping up, especially if Nikola Jokic can play up to his usual high standards. Expect Serbia to cruise to a victory in a must-win game for the European nation and beat the spread.