Men's Olympic Basketball France vs USA Predictions, Odds, Picks

• After a nail-biter for a semi-final, France have their shot at Olympic Gold!
• The USA have looked weaker than in years past, but they’ve still dominated the majority of their matches.
• Despite losing their last game to France, the USA open as heavy favorites to win Olympic Gold!

France vs USA Odds

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Men’s Olympic Basketball France vs USA Predictions & Picks

This is the rematch that basketball fans have been waiting for. France beat the USA in their Group Stage matchup, but the United States have improved with every game. Les Bleus are strong, but the USA are just a four-quarter effort from Olympic Gold. Offensively, the United States should dominate France.

Picks:

Money Line: USA def. France (-850)

Total: Over 175.5 (-110)

How to Watch France vs USA

Head-to-Head: France vs USA

FRA: Win the Perimeter Battle

If there is one area where France have the advantage, it is in the paint. No United States player dares challenge Rudy Gobert in the paint, which makes it even more crucial for Les Bleus to win the battle on the perimeter.

Despite winning by just one point in their last match, French trio Nando De Colo, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, and Evan Fournier combined to score 63 of the team’s 90 points. While the USA don’t pose some of the tournament’s strongest wing defenders, France must maintain their efficiency from outside if they hope to win this match.

Gobert hasn’t been much of an offensive presence through this tournament, but he must act as an outlet should France’s perimeter players be swarmed by the USA’s defence. If France can’t play inside-out and win the battle on the perimeter, it’ll be tough for them to take Olympic Gold.

France Key Player: (G) Nando De Colo

With a handful of NBA-calibre names on their roster, it is the lesser-known Nando De Colo who has been the star for France through this tournament. An all-around offensive player who has the ability to create for others, De Colo is the key to France’s offence.

De Colo had one of his best games in France’s semi-final against Slovenia, contributing 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in a winning effort. He was very efficient as well, shooting 47% from the field and nailing three three-point field goals.

As France’s point guard goes, so does their effort. If De Colo can get off to a good start, France have an excellent chance of winning this game. He’ll be bolstered by the USA’s lack of shot-blocking, but he’ll surely have a tough task in getting past gritty perimeter defender Jrue Holiday.

USA: A Four-Quarter Effort

The United States side has been rightly criticized due to their poor team play and reliance on superstar Kevin Durant. They almost gave away their semi-final game against Australia, had it not been for a vastly improved second-half effort.

After losing the first half of their semi-final against Australia 42-45, including an 15-point deficit, the United States came out in the second half and put down the Boomers with a 32 to 10 third quarter. Against France, the United States can’t afford to play half-hearted basketball.

All eyes are on the USA’s role players. Damian Lillard, Zach Lavine, and Jayson Tatum have shown flashes, but they need to support Kevin Durant through four quarters if they hope to win the gold medal.

USA Key Player: (F) Kevin Durant

As has been the case through the Olympic Tournament, Kevin Durant will be the most important player on the court for the United States. Not only is he their most dangerous threat, but he’s been the only player capable of forcing the issue against adversity.

In his last game against Australia, Durant posted 23 points and nine rebounds on 10 of 19 shooting from the field. When the United States was struggling against Australia, it was Durant’s stellar play that kept them in the game.

Durant shot an uncharacteristic one of seven from three in his last match. While he’s a great one-on-one player from anywhere on the court, improving from range with Gobert in the paint could make the United States unstoppable.