MyBookie returns with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics event rundown, where we take a look at which sporting events you can bet on Thursday, August 5th. Here are our best bets for two Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s basketball semi-finals matches featuring two exciting clashes in Slovenia vs. France and USA vs. Australia. Let’s jump right into action so you can bet against their Olympics Betting odds.
2020 Tokyo Olympics: Betting Options for August 5th Events
Olympic Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Preview
USA Vs Australia
- When: Thursday, August 5th
- Time: 12:15 a.m. ET
Kevin Durant was sensational in the USA’s victory against Spain, where he scored 29 points, added two rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes on the court. He has previously posted 23 points against the Czech Republic and is currently the eight-best performing player at the Olympics.
The USA entered the Olympics as the team to beat, and while this is not the time to start doubting them, Durant and co. have had some issues making it past Australia in the pre-Olympics friendlies.
These two nations met on July 13th, when Australia stunned the USA with 91-83, just two days after the USA national basketball team dropped the ball against Nigeria (87-90). Gregg Popovich’s men have since improved with victories against Iran, Czech Republic, and twice against Spain, so they might be rounding into form just in time to secure a spot in the finals.
Australia are undefeated across their last nine outings. During that stretch, they have won against Hong Kong (81-52), New Zealand (81-52), Argentina (87-84, 97-59), USA (91-83), Nigeria (108-69, 84-67), Italy (86-83), and Germany (89-76).
Although not exactly spectacular results, it’s hard to ignore Australia’s victory against world no.4 Argentina (97-59), who they completely demolished in the quarter-finals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The USA are likely going to win here and avenge their loss from July, but considering the form Australia have been showing, we have to side with the Aussies on the points spread.
Prediction: Australia + 11.5 points
Slovenia Vs France
- When: Thursday, August 5th
- Time: 7:00 a.m. ET
Luka Doncic and co. have been lighting teams on fire at the Olympics and looked nearly unstoppable for over a year now. Slovenia boast an incredible 14-2 record and enter this match on a 10-game winning streak.
Slovenia’s only two losses since February 2019 came against Hungary (75-77) and Ukraine (65-70); however, it’s important to note that Slovenia have yet to lose with Doncic on the court. Although Doncic is the main driving force behind Slovenia’s incredible run in Japan, this team is far from a one-man roster.
The whole team have exceeded everyone’s expectations and once again reminded the world who is the reigning European basketball champion. Their next opponents, France, haven’t been as flashy in Japan. However, they got the job done and enter the semi-finals following an 84-75 victory against Italy.
Before that, Les Bleus won against Iran (79-62), Czech Republic (97-77), and the United States, who they beat 83-76 in the tournament opener.
Slovenia and France last met in the final group stage match of the 2017 EuroBasket, when Slovenia secured a commanding 95-78 victory. Goran Dragic was the top scorer of the day with 22 points, while Luka Doncic managed only 15.
A lot has changed since, mainly for the better for Slovenia. Doncic has since blossomed into an NBA superstar and is currently the best performing player at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with 26.3 PPG, 52.2 FG%, and 35.5 3P%.
Obviously, stopping Doncic will be crucial for France’s chances of beating Slovenia for the first time since 2013, but they’ll still need to keep an eye on Zoran Dragic (16.0 PPG) Vlatko Cancar (14.5 PPG), and Klemen Prepelic (14.5 PPG).
France are a solid team and former European champions. However, no matter how you look at this fixture, Slovenia seem way too strong even for France to stop.
Prediction: Slovenia to win
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