USA Basketball Odds: Women’s Dream Team Opens Olympics vs. Japan

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Written By Brett Gibbons | Last Updated
olympic women's basketball odds

A’ja Wilson, Diana Taurasi, and Team USA begin the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday against Japan. According to the latest Olympic women’s basketball odds, Team USA is a massive -19.5 favorite in Olympics betting. Japan is as long as +20.5 on the point spread and +1550 on the moneyline. The over/under for this game is set at 161.5 points. Watch Team USA vs. Japan on Monday, July 29, at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on USA Network or Peacock.

WNBA players in the Olympics will determine which teams win medals. Team USA is a huge favorite to win gold and is projected to blow out Japan.

Spread

Moneyline

Point Total (Over/Under)

Team USA vs. Japan: Expected Starting Lineups

Team USAJapan
G Chelsea GrayG Mai Yamamoto
G Kelsey PlumG Saki Hayashi
F Napheesa CollierF Akaho Himawari
F Breanna StewartF Evelyn Mawuli
C A’ja WilsonC Maki Takada

US Women’s Basketball Expected To Dominate

Team USA’s roster is comprised exclusively of WNBA stars. Top names include leading scorer A’ja Wilson, six-time Olympian Diana Taurasi, and reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart. Six of the top seven scorers in the WNBA suit up for Team USA. Beyond the U.S., 17 WNBA players will play in the Paris Olympics; zero play for Japan.

Japan’s leading scorer, Mai Yamamoto (17.0 ppg, 64.3% three-point), stands just 5-foot-4. For comparison, Team USA’s shortest player is Kelsey Plum at 5-foot-8, and eight of the 12 women on the roster stand 6-foot or taller. Wilson, Team USA’s leading scorer (27.2 PPG), stands over a foot taller than Yamamoto. Just two players on Japan stand 6-foot even, none taller.

Likely, all 12 Olympians will see plenty of court time in this one. The drop-off between the starting five (Gray, Plum, Collier, Stewart, Wilson) and the next five (Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, Britney Griner) is negligible when it comes to international play. Rotators Jackie Young and Kaleigh Copper also maintain the Team USA standard.

Expect Team USA to dominate rebounding with its significant height advantage. In its final Olympic exhibition match, Team USA cruised past Germany, 84-57; they allowed nine first-quarter points and seven fourth-quarter points.

Olympic Women’s 5×5 Basketball Odds: To Win Gold

All other nations clock in longer than 25-1, notably Japan (+3000), China (+3500), and Canada (+3500).

Olympic Women’s Basketball Odds: Winner Without Team USA

Sportsbooks often offer “Winner Without” props, and this market is no different, especially with such a heavy favorite in Team USA. Essentially, you’re betting on the expected silver medalist, barring a massive upset.

All other nations are priced longer than 10-1. Notable countries include Canada (+1200) and Serbia (+1400).

Team USA Vs. Japan: How To Watch

  • When: Monday, July 29, 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT
  • Where: Lille, France
  • TV: USA Network, Peacock (streaming)

Photo by Associated Press

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