After suffering their first loss at the Olympics since 2004, Team USA rebounded in the second game of the group stage in a resounding 120-66 win, covering a 38.5 point spread in the process. Group play continues for the tournament favorites on Saturday, as they meet late qualifiers in the Czech Republic.
Can the U.S. cover a sizable spread for the second straight game? Read on for our USA vs. Czech Republic Olympic basketball picks and predictions.
USA vs Czech Republic game info
• Location: Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
• Date: Saturday, July 31, 2021
• Time: 8:00 a.m. ET
• TV: Peacock (live), NBC (delay)
USA vs Czech Republic betting tips
- USA -23.5 (-110)
- Under 183.5 (-110)
Read on for complete analysis
USA vs Czech Republic match odds
USA: -23.5 (-110)
Czech Republic: +23.5 (-110)
Total: 183.5
Over 183.5: -110
Under 183.5: -110
USA vs Czech Republic betting preview
Key injuries
USA: No injuries to report.
Czech Republic: No injuries to report.
USA vs Czech Republic predictions
Against the spread (ATS) pick
While the United States followed a discouraging lead-up to the Olympics with a hideous blown lead in their loss to France in the group stage opener, the Czech Republic’s tournament nearly began in an equally poor fashion.
After stunning Canada, in Canada, then demolishing Greece in the finals of the qualifying tournament in June, the Czech Republic landed a spot in the Olympics. That momentum almost came to a screeching halt, however, when they came up against Iran to begin group play. A 32-17 fourth quarter for Iran nearly erased a 21-point lead. Though the Czech Republic held on to win 84-78, Iran covered the 17-point spread with ease.
Infamously, the Americans weren’t able to find an ATS or SU win against France, but they got back on track in a suffocating performance against Iran. That win was fueled by newly crowned NBA champion and late arrival Jrue Holiday, who showed no signs of fatigue in a superb two-way showing in his first start.
Damian Lillard’s more typical performance, and sharper games across the roster, were major factors as well — and will be should the U.S. progress deep into the Olympics — but Holiday will again be crucial against the Czech Republic. Holiday will draw the defensive assignment of Czech talisman Tomas Satoransky, who shook off an awful shooting night against Iran in a stronger performance against France, but regularly leads his team in dimes and boards as well. Holiday’s relentlessness, in both on- and off-ball defense, will not only disrupt Satoransky’s game but the Czech Republic’s as a whole as a result.
The U.S. seemed to have needed the wake-up call that was their loss to France, and received the additional benefit of Holiday’s insertion into the starting five (and Draymond Green’s removal, providing desperately needed spacing). It’s regular service now for the Americans, and that means covering against the Czech Republic.
PICK: USA -23.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Despite holding Iran to just 66 points, the U.S. and Iran easily topped the 165.5 total earlier in the week, as the Americans poured in bucket after bucket in a 120-point night. With the Czech Republic likely to find it difficult to get into any sort of offensive flow with Holiday guarding Satoransky closely, it will be once again on the Americans if they are going to hit the Over on a total of 183.5 — the highest number the U.S. have seen yet at the Olympics.
While the USA will no doubt score at will against the Czechs, that is an awfully high number. The Over in their game against Iran was aided by the U.S.'s bench going off for 38 points against an already-defeated Iran in the fourth quarter, and a near-perfect 17 for 18 night at the line.
The U.S. should cruise to another win in this spot, but a second consecutive fourth quarter explosion is unlikely. Take the Under.
PICK: Under 183.5 (-110)
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