Another match, another question mark for the United States Men's Basketball team. They've managed four victories in a row and should solidly win Group A so long as they beat France, though it really seems like this team is revving up for the knockout round matches which really matter starting next week.
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Tournament Update
Especially with as dominant as the Americans were over the course of their prep games and the first two games in the Olympics, never did anyone imagine two nail-biting victories against Serbia and Australia in consecutive matches. Alas, the United States – largely thanks to some suspect defense and awesome shooting by the competition – was involved in games deep into the fourth quarter in consecutive outings, finally outlasting Serbia 94-91 on Friday night.
The French are through to the knockout rounds as well and likely will finish third best to the Americans and the Aussies. Of course, if they win this match, they can still advance as the top qualifier over both teams if Australia loses as well.
France's lone loss in this tournament was on the opening day against Australia, an 87-66 defeat which looked far worse at the time than it does now that the Australians have swept through everyone else in this group and have pushed the United States into the fourth quarter.
Roster Analysis
For our money, with a roster with multiple NBA players on it, the French have underachieved just a bit here in Rio in spite of their sole loss. They've got a starting five full of NBA players, and all three of Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker are legitimate starters. Nando De Colo is a sharpshooting expert who is perfect for international play, and he could be a threat in this matchup as well.
The United States has to get Kevin Durant going again. He hasn't played nearly the role recently that he did to open up this tournament, and it is going to need him in a bad way to finish off this conquest and win the gold medals in Rio.
Live Betting
The big problem the French are going to have in this game is their lack of three-point shooting. There are some shooters on this team for sure, but if this team is going to hit just five threes like it did in the romp of Venezuela on Friday night, it isn't going to stick around with the mighty Americans.
The reason Serbia managed to push the Stars and Stripes for the full 40 minutes? There players hit at least two threes, and as a team, it knocked down 10 of its 25 attempts from downtown.
Quick Pick
The good news for Coach K and the gang is that the "Dream Team" isn't broken. Of course, we have to temper expectations just a bit, especially knowing that the defense has been so substandard over the course of the last two games.
Don't be surprised though, if Krzyzewski gets his club back on the front foot in this match, as this is effectively the last of the tune-up matches before things get legit next week against the fourth place finisher in Group B.
Olympics Odds: United States 91, France 67
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