Basketball at Paris Olympics 2024: Group A Predictions, Picks & Odds

Who is the Favorite to Win Men’s Basketball Group A at the 2024 Olympics?

Canada (-156) at FanDuel Sportsbook

• Head Coach: Jordi Fernández

• Assistant Coaches: Nate Bjorkgren, Philip Jevtovic, Nathaniel Mitchell, Michael Meeks

Canada has qualified for basketball at the Olympics for the tenth time in history. It hasn’t reached the podium since its inaugural participation in basketball in 1936, when it won the silver medal in Berlin. Canada aims to achieve a podium finish again this summer in Paris with its most decorated roster, led by some of the NBA’s top stars.

After earning third place in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Canada had the best finish of the FIBA Americas teams and qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. They were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists while putting up 31 points, 12 assists, and four rebounds in their bronze medal-winning match against the United States.

Canada is the favorite to win Group A when they enter the 2024 Paris Olympics. They have NBA quality at every position and will reinforce their lineup with 2023 NBA Champion Jamal Murray. There are concerns regarding their frontcourt and their experience as a group. Still, there’s no doubt that Canada is the second-most talented team in this tournament based on quality alone.

Bet on Canada (-156) at FanDuel 

Who are the Top Contenders to Win Men’s Basketball Group A at the 2024 Olympics?

Greece (+420) at FanDuel Sportsbook

• Head Coach: Vassilis Spanoulis

• Assistant Coaches: Ilias Kantzouris, Stefanos Trantafillos, Diamantis Panagiotopoulos, Kostas Charalampidis

After qualifying in back-to-back Olympic games in basketball in Athens and then Beijing, Greece missed out on three consecutive summer games before securing their place in Paris this summer. They have never medaled at the Olympics in basketball, but behind the leadership of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokoumpo, their hopes of reaching the podium are higher than ever.

Greece took the long road to Paris after earning a place at the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008. Failing to qualify after their 15th-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Greece had to compete in the Piraeus Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Led by two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and veteran guard Nick Calathes, Greece booked their ticket to Paris with an 11-point win over Croatia.

Greece is the top contender to win the group, just behind the Canadians. While they’re always a threat due to their organization and interior play, the Greeks have struggled to keep up with the world’s growing fast-paced offenses. The inclusion of Giannis Antetokounmpo has instilled faith in Episimi Agapimeni, and his dominant nature is enough to take the Greeks seriously.

Bet on Greece (+420) at FanDuel 

Australia (+500) at FanDuel Sportsbook

• Head Coach: Brian Goorjian

• Assistant Coaches: Adam Caporn, Matt Nielsen, David Patrick

Australia, or as they’re also known, The Boomers, have been regular basketball competitors at the Olympic Games. Competing in 15 Olympics overall, they earned their first bronze medal during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. While their roster has changed since, their sights are still set on another podium finish!

A regular competitor on the world stage, Australia qualified for the Olympics by earning the best finish of any Oceania team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. It wasn’t as celebratory as expected, though, as Australia ended its World Cup run in tenth place. While still led by Patty Mills, the Boomers have experienced a slight turnover in their roster that makes them more unproven than previous iterations of their squad.

It speaks to the competitiveness of the Olympics that Australia is in the bottom half of the odds table to win Group A. While they’re still a strong team, the Boomers are a team in transition, as their top talent is likely in their final Olympic cycle.

Bet on Australia (+500) at FanDuel 

Spain (+680) at FanDuel Sportsbook

• Head Coach: Sergio Scariolo

• Assistant Coaches: Angel Sanchez-Cañete, Luis Guil

One of the world’s most consistently competitive basketball countries, Spain enters the 2024 Paris Olympics at the bottom of the odds table to escape Group A. While they’ve been one of the world’s best teams through the late 2000s and the 2010s, Spain is experiencing an overhaul in talent as their golden generation has ended.

Despite high expectations, Spain finished ninth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and was forced to compete in the Valencia Olympic Qualifier Tournament to secure their place in Paris. After an eight-point win over the Bahamas in Valencia, Spain earned their place in Group A of the Olympics.

Spain is at the bottom of the odds table to win Group A. Given the competition at the top, it isn’t easy to see Spain progressing as a top-two seed. However, the experience of Spain, led by Rudy Fernandez and head coach Sergio Scariolo, is a team that can’t be counted out – especially when a third-place finish may be enough progress to the knockout rounds.

Bet on Spain (+680) at FanDuel 

How to Watch Group A in Men’s Basketball at the 2024 Olympics

• Dates: July 27 – August 10

• Location: Paris, France

• How to Watch: NBC, Peacock (Streaming)

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