Olympic Basketball has been electric so far. Yesterday we saw Canada and Germany punch their tickets to the knockout stage, and tonight the United States has a chance to do the same.
We’re not talking about the Monstars though, we’re going to the Serbia and Puerto Rico to a near win or go home type of situation.
Here are our best bets for Serbia vs. Puerto Rico!
Serbia vs. Puerto Rico Game Information
Today’s game will be played at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lile, France.
Matchup Information
- Location: Stade Pierre Mauroy; Lile, France
- Date: Saturday, July 27th, 2024
- Tip-off: 11:15 AM EST
Betting Odds
Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Spread
- Serbia -17 (-115)
- Puerto Rico +17 (-105)
Money Line
- Serbia (-2100)
- Puerto Rico (+1000)
Total
- Over 172.5 (-110)
- Under 172.5 (-110)
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Serbia vs. Puerto Rico Analysis & Breakdown
Serbia is coming off a Silver Medal last summer at the FIBA World Cup.
Both Serbia and Puerto Rico enter this game coming off a loss. Serbia was faced with the task of taking on the Monstars aka Team USA; and Puerto Rico went toe to toe with South Sudan and lost.
The Serbian National team is coming off a Silver Medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and they were able to do it without Jokic even available to play.
Serbia finished the tournament third in points per game, averaging 95.1 per game and shooting 38% from deep.
Puerto Rico’s coming off a devastating double digit loss to South Sudan. They entered the game as favorites but it was quickly made evident that the size and speed of the South Sudan team would be a problem.
Both starting guards for Puerto Rico, Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters, are 6′ feet tall or below.
Serbia comes into this game with their guards standing no less than 6’4 tall. Serbia’s size could prove tough for the Puerto Ricans to overcome in this game.
Nikola Jokic o6.5 Assists (-108) via BetOnline – Get a $500 WELCOME BONUS
Nikola Jokic was getting double teamed on every single possession against the United States
Like I said above, this Serbian team is good, even outside of Jokic.
In their Olympic opener, the team shot 24% from beyond the arc and and just 41% from the field. They still managed 84 points and Jokic finished with 20 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds.
Both Serbia and Puerto Rico failed to crack 85 points in their first games of the Olympics and now we’re getting a game total at 172.5; the highest we’ve seen a total for any game not involving the United States.
Big reason we’re getting a total this high, despite such a big spread, is the fact that both teams can score the ball.
Serbia averaged 95 points per game in the 2023 World Cup and that was without Jokic on this team.
Puerto Rico on the other side is fighting for a spot in knockout stage and a loss today could mean the end for this Puerto Rican squad.
They averaged 89 points per game in both the World Cup last year and in their Olympic Qualifiers this year.
Serbia will need to put up a better night from the field if they hope to get out of this one unscathed.
Nikola Jokic o6.5 Assists (-108) BetOnline
Bonus Bet: Nikola Jokic T/Double (+1000)
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Tremont Waters 3+ 3s (+100) via BetOnline – Get a $500 WELCOME BONUS
Tremont Waters shot 10 3s in their Olympic opener, making just 3.
Puerto Rico on the other side is fighting for a spot in knockout stage and a loss today could mean the end for this Puerto Rican squad.
They averaged 89 points per game in both the World Cup last year and in their Olympic Qualifiers this year.
Both their starting guards are under 6’1 and those exact two guards have led the charge for this team.
They combined to average 31 points per game in the Qualifiers, all while both guys played under 24 minutes per game.
Puerto Rico won each game by double digits and even some by 20 or more. They’ve got the capability to score and heart to keep them in any game. We’re turning to starting point guard Tremont Waters.
In their opener, Waters shot 31% from the field and went 3/10 from behind the arc.
The size and length of the South Sudan team really proved to be a problem for the Waters, leading to a very poor shooting night.
Despite the poor shooting night, we can’t ignore his volume from 3. Him and Alvarado combined for 18 3P attempts, making just 3 each.
Big reason for this was the volume was the tough size and length in the middle for South Sudan.
The Serbian team brings similar size so I’m expecting a similar type volume from Waters here in this win or your out type game.
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Tremont Waters 3+ 3s (+100) via BetOnline
Bonus Bet: Tremont Waters 4+ 3s (+230)
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To Recap, Olympic Betting Insights for July 31st, 2024:
In the Serbia vs. Puerto Rico game today, we’re rolling with two plays. Nikola Jokic o6.5 Assists (-108) and we’re rolling with Tremont Waters 3+ 3s (+100); both via BetOnline.
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