In Summer Olympics Men’s Basketball action Wednesday, Iran and USA play in a 12:40 a.m. ET tip-off at Saitama Super Arena. Below, we preview the Iran vs. USA odds and lines, and make our best Summer Olympics bets, picks and predictions.
Iran heads into this one as a decisive underdog, but it has some size. Former Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns pivot Hamed Haddadi, the 7-foot-2 center, gives them a formidable force inside, even at 36 years old.
C Aaron Geramipoor stands 7-foot and PF Michael Rostampour is 6-foot-11. So size isn’t a problem for Iran. Youth will be served with G Mohammadsina Vahedi at just 20 years of age. Iran is still unlikely to give the much-maligned American side much trouble.
USA will be angry after losing to France in the opening group game, and poor Iran will be the lightning rod as the Americans look to rebound figuratively, and literally.
Iran vs. USA: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 8:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Iran +1600 (bet $100 to win $1,600) | USA N/A
- Against the spread/ATS: Iran +39.5 (-105) | USA -39.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 166.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Iran vs. USA: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
USA 107, Iran 63
Money line (ML)
There is no money line available for Team USA, and it wouldn’t be something you’d want to wager upon even if it were available. There would be no value.
You also can’t even think about Iran (+1600), regardless of how poorly USA played against France. Iran was dropped 84-78 in its opener against Czech Republic, and that was likely its best chance at a win in this tournament.
AVOID.
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Against the spread (ATS)
USA -39.5 (-115) has likely been seeing all of the headlines and social media bashing after falling to France. This star-studded American side has the best players in the world, but it hasn’t had the best team in the world.
The lack of cohesiveness won’t be a problem against Iran, and if the USA doesn’t take out its frustrations in this one, and Iran manages to hang around, the criticism will be at a fever pitch.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 166.5 (-110) is the lean, as the USA has a good chance to hit the century mark if it’s able to live up to potential.
The Under connected in the opening game for the USA, while the Over connected in Iran’s narrow loss to the Czechs. The defense won’t offer much resistance against the Americans.
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