In Summer Olympics Women’s Basketball action Friday, USA and Japan play in a 12:40 a.m. ET tip-off at Saitama Super Arena. Below, we preview the USA vs. Japan odds and lines, and make our best Summer Olympics bets, picks and predictions.
Team USA wasn’t terribly impressive in its first game of group play Tuesday, squeaking by Nigeria 81-72. It wasn’t even close to covering the big 30.5-point spread, as the Americans were sloppy with 25 turnovers.
It wasn’t all bad, as Las Vegas Aces standout F A’ja Wilson had a double-double in her Olympic Games debut, posting a team-best 19 points with 13 rebounds, helping head coach Dawn Staley to her first win in the Olympics.
Host-nation Japan snuck by France 74-70, with three scorers in double digits. G Saki Hiyashi led the way with 12 points off the bench, including three triples.
USA vs. Japan: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: USA -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100) | Japan +1550 (bet $100 to win $1,550)
- Against the spread/ATS: USA -20.5 (-105) | Japan +20.5 (-120)
- Over/Under: 161.5 (O: -115 | U: -110)
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USA vs. Japan: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
USA 97, Japan 71
Money line (ML)
USA (-10000) is an overwhelming favorite. In fact, you would need to risk $100 to win a mere $1. You cannot do that.
AVOID, and look to the spread instead.
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Against the spread (ATS)
USA -20.5 (-105) is a great play in its second group play game against the undersized Japan.
The Americans really struggled with turnovers and looked a bit rusty against Promise Amukamara and Nigeria, but they’ll right the ship and blow past the Japanese Thursday.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 161.5 (-115) is the best play on the board, as the Americans should flirt with triple digits against the smaller side.
After a shaky start in its first game, USA will knock off the rust and won’t take its foot off the gas in this one, looking to make a statement similar to how the men’s side recovered in Game 2 in their pool.
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