After being pushed back a year due to COVID-19, the summer Olympics are back! This year, the games will be held in Tokyo, Japan. I will be dialing in on the United States Men’s Basketball Team, who will be fighting for a gold medal placed around their neck in the coming few weeks.
Roster
13 - Bam Adebayo
4 - Bradley Beal
15 - Devin Booker
7 - Kevin Durant
9 - Jerami Grant
14 - Draymond Green
12 - Jrue Holiday
5 - Zach Lavine
6 - Damian Lillard
11 - Kevin Love
8 - Khris Middleton
10 - Jayson Tatum
Coach - Gregg Popovich
What’s Already Happened?
The United States Men’s Basketball Team has already participated in 3 exhibition games in preparation for the Olympic games. In the first matchup, the guys wearing the stars and stripes were defeated by Nigeria 90-87. The United States were 29.5 point favorites going into this one, and -10000 on the money line. This was for sure an upset, but that’s why you participate in these kinds of games, to build team chemistry and work out the kinks. On the bright side, 6 players finished in double figures including Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Zach Lavine. In their second exhibition game, the United States lost this time to Australia 91-83. The United States were heavy favorites yet again this time, -16.5 in the spread and -1600 on the money line. Losing two straight exhibition games in a row, for sure raised some eyebrows but thankfully for us as Americans these games don’t count. Damian Lillard led the team in scoring with 22 points while Kevin Durant had 17 and Bradley Beal added another 12. In their most recent exhibition game, the Americans finally got on the right track beating Argentina 108-80. If you bet on USA in this one you’re a happy camper since they covered the spread off -16.5 and took care of the money line (-2200) with ease. A game like this was needed for confidence purposes after dropping the first two exhibition games. Bam Adebayo, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant and Zach Lavine all finished in double figures.
What’s Next?
The boys from the USA will play in two more exhibition games versus Australia again and finishing with Spain. Then it's time for the real thing as the United States will open Olympic play on July 25th, against France at 8 a.m. ET.
Summer 2021 Olympic Schedule:
7/25/21: USA vs. France (8 a.m. ET)
7/28/21: USA vs. Iran (12:40 p.m. ET)
7/31/21: USA vs. Czech Republic (8 a.m. ET)
8/3/21: Men's Quarterfinals
8/5/21: Men’s Semifinals
8/6/21: Men’s Gold Medal Game (10:30 p.m. ET)
8/7/21: Men’s Bronze Medal Game (7 a.m. ET)
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