2024 Olympic Women’s Basketball: USA vs. Japan Odds, Predictions & Picks

The U.S. Women’s National Basketball Team begins its march to gold in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games with a contest vs. Japan. Gametime is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET; fans can watch the game on the USA Network or via the Peacock app.

With an all-time Olympic record of 70-3 and no losses in Olympic competition since the Barcelona Games in ’92, bettors may not be too concerned about betting on them to win. But betting on them to cover when the spreads will be pretty big every game…

Let’s take a look at the betting odds for USA vs. Japan.

Betting Odds for Women’s Basketball Summer Olympics, USA vs. Japan on July 29

The big question surrounding games featuring the USWNT during the Olympics will not involve whether they’ll win. Of course, it is possible for them to lose, but it would be the most shocking moment in recent Olympic history if they did.

There will be no value in betting on Team USA’s moneyline. Why not? Just look at the moneyline for today’s game -10000. Bettors will have to bet $10,000 just to win $100.

No, bettors will likely be more interested in the point spread and whether the team will cover whatever the massive spread is. On that note, here is the betting line for USA vs. Japan with odds from BetMGM:

Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Head to BetMGM to place your bets! If you want to try BetMGM, you can use bonus code WSNSPORTS and Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets!

USA vs. Japan Preview

The USWNT and Team Japan are not exactly strangers. They played twice during the Tokyo Games, with the U.S. winning both, 90-75 and 86-69. However, while the U.S. did what matters most and won outright, they failed to cover the spread of either game!

They also played in the 2016 Summer Games, where the U.S. crushed Japan 110-64; they covered the spread this time. In the three games, the OVER was 1-2. However, they did play two other games, one in 1996 (108-93, USA) and one in 1976, which Japan won, 84-71.

USA Preview

If anyone was concerned after seeing Team USA fall to the WNBA All-Stars, well - they shouldn’t have been the least bit worried. The WNBA All-Stars were an excellent team in their own right and would probably win a medal if the U.S. could enter two teams.

But those worried by the loss likely felt much better after seeing the USWNT stomp all over Germany, 84-57. Aj’a Wilson led the way, recording a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Germany got within seven in the second period but never really threatened.

Of course, the worst thing the USWNT could do is not take the game seriously and let it become much more competitive than it should be. However, with what the team showed against Germany (a team they will play again in a few days), they are ready.

It looks like whatever issues troubled them against the WNBA all-stars have been worked out, and they will be ready to face Japan.

Bet on USA at BetMGM

Team Japan Preview

Japan enters the Olympics in a good place. While they did lose to Hungary in the qualifying tournament, they played well against and defeated two of the top five teams in FIBA’s rankings. Spain is the No. 4 team in the world according to FIBA, and Japan beat them 86-75.

Canada was a more challenging game, but they came out ahead in the end, 86-82.

However, playing Spain, Hungary, and Canada does not compare to facing a U.S. team that will have an incredible size advantage. Eight of the 12 players on the U.S. roster stand 6 feet or taller. Japan has two players who stand 6 feet or taller.

The team’s leading scorer (17 ppg), Mai Yamamoto, stands just 5’4”.

Bet on Japan at BetMGM

USA vs. Japan Prediction

Team USA will win the game; that much is not in question. But can they cover? Japan does not look like much on paper, but they are a scrappy little team that only lost by 15 and 17 points during the Tokyo games. However, they are still a team that the USWNT should crush.

If the USA were to play full throttle for the whole game, they would probably win by 50, but they will not do that. Once the game is well in hand, they’ll be more concerned about getting everyone in the game.

Therefore, we’re not confident they’ll cover a 20.5-point spread. As for the total, while the U.S. will likely score 80-90 points, we don’t think Japan can make up the difference to send the score over the TOTAL.

• My Pick: UNDER 161.5 at (-110) at BetMGM

How to Watch USA vs. Japan

• Teams: YSA vs. Japan

• Location: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France

• Time & Date: 3 p.m. E.T. on Monday, July 29

• Coverage: USA Network/ Peacock, fubo TV