Group A and Group B continue Group Stage Olympics play on Tuesday with a four-game slate. Let’s take a look at one game from each group.
Australia vs. Canada
Australia +6.5 -118
Canada was able to comfortably handle Giannis Antetokounmpo. But, that’s exactly all they had to do, handle Giannis Antetokounmpo. Greece brought nothing to the table after their superstar. Still, the difference in that game was only seven points.
Of course, Australia doesn’t have a player who’s nearly on the level of Antetokounmpo. However, their depth is superior. Australia is on the fringe of the second tier of teams featured in these games. They can put up points in bunches, and they have something to prove. Canada should avoid being fully upset, but covering by more than two 3-pointers seems like something Australia won’t allow.
Japan vs. France
Nicolas Batum over 8.5 points -130
This game’s 17.5-point spread seems like a pretty accurate representation of how this Olympics matchup should go. Whether or not France covers is another conversation entirely, but they should be in control of this one from start to finish.
Someone who should play a role in that is Batum, who just scored 19 points on 6-for-13 shooting vs. Brazil. This total is a steep dip for Batum, but it’s understandable. Batum has finished in double figures in three of France’s last four games (three coming before the Olympics). At the same time, across all six of their games this summer, he’s only gone over this game’s total half the time.
That said, his scoring output can simply be linked to minutes. Over the last four games, he’s played no fewer than 20 minutes. In two of those games, he’s taken at least 10 shots while logging six and three in those other two games. With most of his shooting coming from beyond the arc, even six attempts can get the job done for Batum — as evidenced by his 12-point showing vs. Australia. As long as Batum gets 20 minutes in this potential blowout, a nine-point finish is very much in play.
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