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Team USA tips off the group stage Wednesday when they face South Sudan for the second time in Paris at the 2024 Olympics.
The first time these two teams faced off, USA barely skated by as LeBron James nailed a last-second layup to secure the victory.
Defense is key for Team USA to win gold. Getty ImagesOddsmakers had Team USA as over 40-point favorites for that matchup and have significantly downgraded them this time around.
Team USA is just 28.5-point favorites in Wednesday’s matchup, with the total coming in at 191.5 for the 3 p.m. ET start.
USA vs. South Sudan odds
- USA (-28.5) vs. South Sudan (+28.5)
- Over/Under 191.5 (-110/-110)
Team USA needed a last second LeBron James layup to win against South Sudan. Getty ImagesUSA vs. South Sudan prediction
The odds shift is pretty dramatic, all things considered. The USA may have been tinkering with their lineups in the first game, but the element of surprise is gone.
The USA knows exactly what South Sudan will be bringing to the table and, more importantly, this game actually matters.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
- The final results and medal count from the Paris Games
- Jordan Chiles’ Olympic bronze not returned despite ‘conclusive’ evidence
- Luana Alonso returns to training after Olympics featured abrupt retirement
- https://nypost.com/2024/08/08/sports/joel-embiid-taunts-paris-crowd-ahead-of-usa-gold-medal-game-with-france/
- Weightlifting medalist Emily Campbell tears into Paris’ Olympic Village
- The Post’s 10 best moments of the 2024 Paris Olympics
Despite winning the previous game, the USA has a revenge angle as well as a “we weren’t taking it seriously” excuse built into the last game.
With this game actually having some relevance in the group stage, Team USA is in a wonderful spot to cover the spread here.
South Sudan is coming off an impressive victory over Puerto Rico in the first group stage match, so USA will legitimately need this victory to get out of their group.
Back Team USA against the spread thanks to some streamlined lineups from coach Steve Kerr and strong guard play.
PICK: Team USA -28.5 (-110)
