Spain vs Greece: Preview and prediction for 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball | July 30, 2024
Spain and Greece opened their Olympic campaigns with losses to Australia and Canada respectively and will look to get back on track when they face each other on Tuesday. A loss could mean elimination from the competition.
This version of La Roja isn’t as star-studded as the ones that gave Team USA trouble in past Olympic battles. But, they are still a formidable group with experienced and skilled players on the roster. The Spaniards, which finished sixth three years ago in Japan, will hope to at least match that feat in Paris.
The Greeks, returning to the Olympics after failing to qualify for the event on three previous occasions, are also looking to bounce back. They went neck and neck with Canada and were thwarted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s timely shots.
Santi Aldama versus Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the main matchup to watch in this game.
Spain vs Greece: Preview, prediction and odds
The Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France will host the showdown between the two European teams. Basketball fans can watch the game by subscribing to Courtside 1891.
Moneyline: Spain (+145) vs. Greece (-170)
Spread: Spain (+3.5) vs. Greece (-3.5)
Total (O/U): 163.5 (-110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Spain vs Greece: Game preview
The Spaniards had a sluggish start against Australia in their Olympic opener and paid dearly for it. Behind Santi Aldama, Sergio Llull and Willy Hernangomez, La Roja pulled to within five halfway through the fourth quarter. The Aussies, however, hit timely shots to eventually win 92-80.
Sergio Scariolo has to coax more out of his team, particularly on offense. Another struggle on that end versus the Greeks could lead to another loss.
Meanwhile, the Greeks have to help Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar scored 34 of the team’s 79 points. Besides the two-time NBA MVP, only Kostas Papanikolaou scored in double figures with 17.
As badly as coach Vassilis Spanoulis’ charges played on offense, they still nearly pulled off the win versus Canada. If they can shoot better than 28% (9-32) from deep like they did against the Canadians, they will have a big chance to beat La Roja.
Spain vs Greece: Prediction
Spain’s chemistry, a hallmark of their great Olympic teams, wasn’t consistently on display versus Australia. They will have a long night if they can’t regain that groove on Tuesday.
Greece didn’t fold against the star-studded Canadians. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s herculean efforts nearly pulled them through. If it hadn’t been for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Greeks might be holding a 1-0 card.
Antetokounmpo and Co. will not face the same stacked roster on Tuesday. Hellas could even their win-loss slate to 1-1 after the showdown with the Spaniards.