The semifinals of the Summer Olympics Women’s Basketball Tournament will be played Friday morning with the USA taking on Serbia in the first game. Tip-off at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo will be at 12:40 a.m. ET. Below, we preview the USA vs. Serbia odds and lines, and make our best Summer Olympics bets, picks and predictions.
Team USA has cruised through this tournament with no win by fewer than 9 points, including a 79-55 rout of Australia in the quarterfinals. It finished first in Group B while outscoring the competition 86.7-74.3 in the Group Stage. F A’Ja Wilson has led the way with 17.8 points per game; two other players are averaging more than 13 PPG.
Serbia went 2-1 in the Group Stage and finished second in Group A before beating China 77-70 in the quarters. PF Jelena Brooks has a team-high 13.5 PPG in the tournament and two teammates are averaging 11.3 PPG. Serbia has two 4-point wins and a 7-point victory over China.
USA vs. Serbia: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
- Money line: USA -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100) | Serbia +800 (bet $100 to win $800)
- Against the spread/ATS: USA -18.5 (-115) | Serbia +18.5 (-120)
- Over/Under: 159.5 (O: -115 | U: -120)
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USA vs. Serbia: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
USA 81, Serbia 70
Money line (ML)
Team USA (-3000) is a safe bet to win as the top-ranked women’s basketball team in the world. The Americans haven’t even been given a scare in this tournament and will secure a spot in the gold medal game with another comfy victory.
PASS on the chalky money line and turn to the spread.
Against the spread (ATS)
USA is the better shooting team from all areas of the court and is also the superior rebounding team. Serbia has been better in points off of turnovers, but USA has advantages in fast-break points, second-chance points and points in the paint.
Still, the spread is far too big for a semifinals game. The Americans won just one game thus far by more than 18 points and Serbia has played well defensively while allowing more than 70 points just once through four games.
Back SERBIA +18.5 (-120) to stay within 18 points in a loss.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 159.5 (-120) is the best play in what’s projected to be a blowout win for the Americans.
Serbia has shot 35.5% from 3-point range in the tournament and will struggle to close the gap if the USA builds a large lead.
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