Team USA vs. Serbia Preview and Prediction for 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball | July 28, 2024
The USA men's basketball team's quest for a record-extending 17th gold medal at the Olympics will begin on Sunday against Serbia in a Group C encounter. LeBron James & Co. are expected to face a stiff challenge against a team led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Team USA competed in five showcase games to prepare for the Paris Games. Steve Kerr's group registered a 5-0 record but a couple of victories were far from convincing.
In their last two games, Team USA required clutch performances from the oldest player on its roster, LeBron James. South Sudan and Germany offered huge resistance but ultimately Team USA found a way to win both games.
Team USA's roster is stacked with some of the biggest names in basketball. LeBron is the leader of a pack that includes four-time NBA champion Steph Curry and Team USA's most celebrated Olympic basketball player Kevin Durant.
On the flipside, Serbia's hopes firmly rest on Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player in the world. The Denver Nuggets superstar's ability to control the tempo and dictate offense will be the key for the Serbians.
Serbia's roster features four players who play in the NBA in Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic and Vasilije Micic.
Serbia also played five tune-up games ahead of the quadrennial competition and registered a 3-2 record. The country registered victories against France, Japan and Greece while suffering defeats against Team USA and Australia.
Team USA vs. Serbia: Preview, prediction and odds
Team USA vs. Serbia will take place at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France on July 28. The tip-off is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. ET (8:15 a.m. PT). The game will be broadcast live on the NBC network while the live streaming will be available on Peacock, NBCSports.com. and Fubo.
Moneyline: Team USA (-1000) vs. Serbia (+650)
Spread: Team USA (-13.5) vs. Serbia (+13.5)
Total: 179.5
Editor's Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Team USA vs. Serbia predicted starting 5s and depth charts
There is still a question mark over Kevin Durant's availability for the game against Serbia. Steve Kerr could put out a starting lineup comprising LeBron James, Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid.
Team USA roster for the Olympics: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.
Serbia coach Svetislav Pesic could start Ognjen Dobric, Filip Petrusev, Narko Guduric, Aleksa Avramovic and Nikola Jokic.
Serbia roster for the Olympics: Nikola Jokic, Nikola Jovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Vasilije Micic, Marko Guduric, Vanja Marinkovic, Ognjen Dobric, Filip Petrusev, Nikola Milutinov, Aleksa Avramovic, Dejan Davidovac, Uros Plavsic.
Team USA vs. Serbia: Prediction
Team USA produced their best performance during the five-game exhibition stint against the Serbians, pulverizing them 105-79.
Serbia is expected to pose a stiff challenge this time around, especially with the stakes being higher. However, given the disparity in firepower between the two teams, expect Team USA to begin their 2024 Olympic campaign with a victory.