The final spot in the gold medal game will be on the line Thursday morning when France and Slovenia clash in the second of two semifinal games in the Summer Olympics Men’s Basketball Tournament. Tip-off will be at 7 a.m. ET at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo. Below, we analyze the France vs. Slovenia odds and lines, and make our best Summer Olympics bets, picks and predictions.
Slovenia crushed Germany 94-70 in the quarterfinals Tuesday while France got past Italy by an 84-75 count. Slovenian PG Luka Doncic scored 20 points with 8 rebounds, 11 assists and 2 steals in his team’s victory. France got 15 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals from SF Nicolas Batum in the quarters.
France and Slovenia both went 3-0 in the Group Stage and finished atop Group A and Group C, respectively.
France vs. Slovenia: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 7:21 a.m. ET.
- Money line: France +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Slovenia -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: France +2.5 (-110) | Slovenia -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 174.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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France vs. Slovenia: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
France 87, Slovenia 84
Money line (ML)
FRANCE (+115) is the side to back as a slight underdog. It made a statement with an 83-76 win over the USA in its tournament opener and hasn’t looked back with three more victories by at least 9 points.
Slovenia, led by Doncic and his 26.3 points per game, has three victories by 18 or more points and an 8-point win over Spain but faces its toughest test by far Thursday morning. France has the defensive talent to contain Doncic and force his inferior supporting cast to take on larger roles.
Against the spread (ATS)
Any fan of the NBA is well aware of Doncic’s talent and his frequent big-game heroics. However, the wise play is to back FRANCE +2.5 (-110).
Slovenia has the edge in 3-point shooting and rebounding, but I’ll side with France’s depth and experience in what’s likely to be a close game.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 174.5 (-105). France has the personnel to slow down Doncic and force shots from Slovenia’s less talented shooters.
France topped 85 points just once through four games and will control the pace Thursday against a Slovenian side that topped 115 points in each of its first two games of the tournament but not in either of the last two games.
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