iv class=”bodyContent col-lg-9 mb-3″>
Team USA, which is the overwhelming favorite by the Olympic men's basketball odds, looks to secure an undefeated record in the group stage when it faces Puerto Rico on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. ET from Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France.
The Americans are favored by 34.5 points to beat Puerto Rico across our best sports betting sites, and they lead our Puerto Rico vs. USA prediction and expert picks in arguably the biggest mismatch of the tournament thus far.
Puerto Rico vs. USA predictions for Saturday
Puerto Rico vs. USA odds via our best sports betting apps; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.
- USA -34.5 (-105) ???
- USA Over 112.5 points (-105) ???
- Anthony Davis leading scorer (+2800) ??
Look, this is an absolutely mammoth line, and it's hard to even fathom outscoring a team by 35 points in a 40-minute contest. This is also the biggest mismatch on paper of the entire tournament, and previous results suggest this could get ugly.
The Americans blasted Serbia – which features the NBA MVP odds favorite in Nikola Jokic – by 26 points in the opener.
A few days later, the Serbs blasted Puerto Rico by 41 points, which came after an 11-point loss to a South Sudan team that the USA dispatched by 17 points on Wednesday.
Needless to say, the gap between these two is massive, and I think we'll see that when the U.S. has the ball. If the Americans decide to run the court with reckless abandon, there's no telling how wide this margin might get.
A winning $10 bet will pay a $9.52 profit.
Odds: -105 | Implied probability: 51.22%
Let's start with the necessary caveat: no tea m has scored 113 points yet in this Olympic tournament. So, clearly, there's a challenge ahead for the USA to eclipse this total.
That said, the Americans scored 110 points against Serbia in the opener, and it scored “only” 103 points against South Sudan. Now it gets to tee off on a Puerto Rico defense that allowed 107 points to the Serbs, who frankly lack the explosiveness or unmatched depth that the Americans enjoy.
The U.S. shot 62.3% against Serbia when it dropped 110 points. If it can shoot even 65% on Saturday – which feels entirely reasonable with this cast of characters – it should be able to clear this total in the group stage finale.
A winning $10 bet will pay a $9.52 profit.
Odds: -105 | Implied probability: 51.22%
Given the variable nature of the USA rotations and starting lineups, we've been taking our chances on a long-sh ot leading scorer ahead of these group stage games.
Bam Adebayo was the surprise leading scorer on Wednesday, and he's 40/1 to do it again on Saturday. Yet I'm once again intrigued by these long odds on Davis, who earned his first start against South Sudan and attempted seven shots – three off the team lead.
The Puerto Ricans lack the size to compete inside with the U.S., and I have a feeling one of the American bigs will take advantage. At these odds, I like Davis' chances.
A $10 wager will yield a $280 profit if it hits.
Odds: +2800 | Implied probability: 3.45%
Puerto Rico vs. USA odds & game info
| Puerto Rico | USA | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +3000 | -10000 |
| Spread | +34.5 (-115) | -34.5 (-105) |
| Over/Under | Over 188.5 (-110) | Under 188.5 (-110) |
- When: Saturday, Aug. 3
- Tip-off: 11:15 a.m. ET
- Where: Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Lille, France)
- How to watch: NBC, Peacock (streaming)
- Favorite: USA -34.5 (-105)
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)