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

Team USA faces Nigeria in the women’s quarterfinals on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. ET. It is no surprise, of course, that the U.S. is a massive betting favorite for the game.

The Nigerian Women’s Basketball Team made history by becoming the first African team (men’s and women’s) to the quarterfinals. However, to advance a step further, they will need to make history again by taking down the U.S. Women’s squad.

Read on for the betting odds for the game, along with our preview and pick.

Betting Odds for Women’s Basketball Summer Olympics, USA vs. Nigeria on August 7

Nigeria shocked the world with a 75-62 upset win over Australia in their pool play opener. But reality came crashing down in their second game, a 75-54 loss to France. They earned the right to move on to the quarterfinals with a hard-fought win over France 79-70.

The journey was a little different for the U.S. After crushing Japan in their first game, they faced a tougher fight against Belgium in the next game. But, again, they persevered (87-74). Germany made them work for it in their pool play closer, but the U.S. still won with ease, 87-68.

Let’s review the betting line for the USA vs. Nigeria. Odds are via BetMGM where new users can get up to $1500 in bonus bets* when using our code WSNSPORTS.

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USA vs. Nigeria Preview

The U.S. and Nigeria have never played against each other in the Olympics. But the two teams did face off during the qualifying tournament this year, a game where the U.S. cruised to an easy win 100-46.

Jewell Loyd led the way with 18 points despite only playing for roughly 16 minutes.

But Nigeria has improved since that defeat. Several players have stepped up and performed when the team needed someone to. However, it is one thing to step up against Australia or Canada and another against a U.S. team working on a 58-game Olympic winning streak.

USA Preview

Belgium and Germany made the U.S. work for the win in group play, but neither was ever in a position to take over the game and win. So, one could argue that they just need to do what they’ve been doing to beat Nigeria. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, right? Well…

That kind of thinking could lead to an early exit for the U.S. because if Nigeria can adjust and the U.S. doesn’t, this game could become surprisingly competitive.

The U.S. does need to continue doing what the team has been doing well. While their defense has been impressive, and they’ve done a great job of taking advantage of size differentials. Over 50% of their points have come in the paint so far.

However, the U.S. has sometimes seemed intent on making the big play when just making a play would be enough to get the basket. Highlight reel plays are fun to watch, but they have led to players being too loose with the ball and turning it over.

Their defense has been good enough to keep opponents from turning turnovers into points. It has also kept teams from scoring much on fast breaks or second chances.

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Nigeria Preview

Making history has been nice for the program, but an upset win over the mighty U.S. team would do even more. They’ll need to keep playing aggressively and take advantage of how loose the U.S. has been with the ball. However, they will also need to turn turnovers into points.

They’ve done a decent job of doing so, recording 20, 17, and 27 points off turnovers in pool play.

But if they are to win or keep it relatively close, they will need Ezine Kalu to have a big day. She led the way for Nigeria against the U.S. in Tokyo with 16 points, had 21 in the win over Canada, and 19 in the victory against Australia.

In the loss to France, she had 18, but half of her total came off free throws.

Nigeria has played well, but to beat the U.S., they’ll need Team USA to have an off night while every player on their roster has a career-best performance.

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USA vs. Nigeria Pick

The U.S. will win this game, but whether they cover the spread will depend on whether they can keep playing shut-down defense and whether they can heat up from the three-point line. They made just four and five in the first two games but hit nine of 21 attempts against Germany.

In the qualifier against Nigeria, the U.S. made 15 of 31 attempts. But in the Tokyo Olympics game, the U.S. hit just five of 20 and only won by nine, 81-72.

• My Pick: USA -27.5 at -105 or UNDER 155.5 at +100

Nigeria has played well, but not so well to think they’ll even come close to recording an epic upset here. The U.S. will blow Nigeria out, much like it did during qualifying, but while they’ll likely score around 100 points, don’t count on Nigeria to come close to 60.

If Nigeria ends up staying within 27.5 points, it will not be because they score a lot of points; it will be because the U.S. struggles from three-point range. Whether the U.S. hits threes or not, the total will be UNDER 155.5 points.

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How to Watch USA vs. Nigeria

• Location: Bercy Arena in Paris, France

• Game Time & Date: 3:30 p.m. E.T. on Wednesday,  August 7

• Coverage: USA Network/ Peacock/ NBCOlympics.com.