Team USA vs. South Sudan Odds & Predictions: Olympic Men’s Basketball

The United States (-650) blew the doors off Serbia 110-84 in their Olympic debut, looking every bit as dominant as their loaded roster and high basketball odds to win a gold medal suggest.

South Sudan (+8000) continues to make noise on the world’s biggest stage after nearly taking down the U.S. in the exhibition games, defeating Puerto Rico 90-79.

Let’s take a look at the odds and predictions of this matchup.

USA vs. South Sudan Odds

• USA Spread: -29.5
• South Sudan Spread: +29.5
• Moneyline: USA +10000, South Sudan +1600
• Total: 190.5

USA vs. South Sudan Prediction

Kevin Durant made an immediate impact in his return for the Americans in their win against Serbia, pouring in 23 points on a crisp 8-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-5 from 3-point land.

Kevin Durant’s return to play for #USABMNT has been SENSATIONAL 🌟

21 PTS
8-8 FGM
5-5 3PM
2Q buzzer-beater

KD is DIFFERENT! 👀pic.twitter.com/YaWC0T2Z2t

— NBA (@NBA) July 28, 2024

LeBron James added 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Jrue Holiday chipped in 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 

Devin Booker contributed 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, five assists, and two steals. Stephen Curry had 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, three rebounds, and three assists. 

Carlik Jones led South Sudan with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in their win over Puerto Rico. Marial Shayok added 15 points. Nuni Omot and Bul Kuol chipped in 12 points apiece.

Jones and Shayok lit up Team USA during their most recent matchup, with the latter shooting 6 of 12 from downtown.

Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton curiously sat on the bench for the entire game against Serbia, creating some controversy early on in the Paris Games.

Team USA coach Steve Kerr called himself an idiot for benching Tatum and insisted he will play in this matchup, which will certainly help James and Durant buy a few more minutes on the bench as they hope to keep their legs fresh for the entire tournament.

Tatum’s shot creation and ability to guard multiple positions should help him fit right in with this team. 

As South Sudan proved in their previous matchup, they play with a ton of pride. South Sudan became an independent country in 2011, breaking free from Sudan.

According to South Sudan coach and former NBA player Royal Ivey, Luol Deng, another former NBA player, has been funding South Sudan basketball out of pocket for four years, paying for gyms, hotels, plane tickets, etc.

Ivey suggested that Team USA will be ready for South Sudan in this upcoming matchup since their last game was a “friendly” and with more at stake in Paris. 

I expect the Americans to play with more intensity on both ends of the floor and keep their foot on the gas pedal throughout. 

However, I also don’t expect South Sudan to back down so easily. They’re going to keep the ball moving, make the right rotations defensively, and play up on their opponents.

With that said, it’s still hard to envision Team USA losing this game given the top-heavy nature of their offence, but South Sudan is no slouch either, so my best online sportsbook bet to make is South Sudan covering the spread of +29.5.

Even if this game gets tight, the Americans still have James and Durant to make plays down the stretch to help them escape with a win.

King James proved to still be a locomotive at the ripe age of 39, while KD lived up to his “Slim Reaper” and “Easy Money Sniper” nicknames by shooting the ball with tremendous efficiency and a feathery touch.