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The 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is set to begin on Friday with the opening ceremonies. But the Olympic basketball competition for the women will not begin until Sunday night at 9 p.m. ET.
Team USA’s quest for another gold medal will start 12:40 am ET eaaaaaarly Tuesday morning. Team USA will open up group play against Nigeria, who they defeated 93-62 in an exhibition on July 18. Team USA has -1100 odds to win the gold and -5000 odds to win any medal, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Women’s basketball Olympics Sunday, Mon-Tue July 25-26 schedule
South Korea vs. Spain
Time: 9 p.m. ET Sunday
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: NBCOlympics.com
Spread: -23.5
Over/under: 132
Moneyline odds: Spain -4500, South Korea +1800
Spain enters into group play as the overwhelming favorite over South Korea to begin the competition. Spain finished 2-1 in group play during FIBA Women’s Eurobasket last month, before being bounced by Russia 78-74. Four years ago, they won the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio, but have yet to win a gold medal.
Spain is led by 24-year-old small forward Marie Conde, who averaged 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in the 2021 FIBA Women’s Eurobasket and Chicago Sky center Astou Ndour-Fall. This season with the Sky, Ndour-Fall is averaging 8.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Serbia vs. Canada
Time: 4:20 a.m. ET Monday
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: NBCOlympics.com
Spread: -1.5
Over/under: 142.5
Moneyline odds: Canada +110, Serbia -130
One of the more exciting games might be between Canada and Serbia, which is scheduled for an early 4:20 am ET tip on Monday. Serbia is coming off an impressive 2021 Eurobasket, where they defeated France in 63-54 in the Final. Serbia has the fifth best odds to win the gold medal (+200) and second-best odds to win Group A (+190). The Serbian women are led by Eurobasket MVP Sonja Vasic. The 6-foot-2 small forward averaged 15.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
However, do not sleep on Team Canada, which has six Olympic veterans on their squad and a couple of first timers. Forward Natalie Achonwa is one of those veteran players, who has found success playing overseas and in the WNBA. Canada will also hope that Kia Nurse will give them a boost as she’s averaging 9.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game this season for the Phoenix Mercury.
Japan vs. France
Time: 9 p.m. ET Monday
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: NBCOlympics.com
Spread: -9.5
Over/under: 140.5
Moneyline odds: France -425, Japan +320
France, who has the second-best odds to win Group B (+900), begins group play against the host country, Japan. France recently lost to Serbia 63-54 in the 2021 FIBA Women’s Eurobasket Final.
They are led by the trio of Sandrine Gruda, Gabby Williams, and Marine Johannes. Gruda averaged 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in Eurobasket, while Williams added 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. Lastly, Johannes averaged 11.7 points and shot 42.9% from three-point range on 5.8 attempts per game.
United States vs. Nigeria
Time: 12:40 a.m. ET Tuesday
TV channel: Replay at 2:45 a.m. on NBCSN, 4:15 p.m. on USA
Live stream: NBCOlympics.com
Spread: -31
Over/under: 153
Moneyline odds: USA -8000, Nigeria +2500
Team USA will open up group play against Nigeria, who they just blew out in their final exhibition game in Las Vegas. In their first meeting, USA had five players in double figures led by A’ja Wilson, who posted a double-double consisting of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Breanna Stewart stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. USA should not have any problems with Nigeria when they face off in group play. Nigeria shot 30.6% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range.