Top sportsbooks have released their odds for the slate of Olympics games on Tuesday.
Three games, across two different sports, interest me as worth investing in: Australia vs. Canada and Greece vs. Spain in basketball and Taylor Fritz vs. Jack Draper in tennis.
For your best bets, I will recommend investing in Canada, Greece, and Jack Draper.
Greece vs. Spain (Basketball)
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 05:00 AM ET at Pierre Mauroy Stadium
Spain Is Overrated by Oddsmakers
Spain lost its opening match, against Australia, by twelve points.
I dislike Spain’s chances on Tuesday because I find that the Spaniards confirmed a lot of worries that folks had about them heading into the group phase.
The main issue is they are not the unit that they, historically, have been known to be.
While scoring 80 points against Australia might not seem so bad, consider that they relied heavily on three-point shooting, as part of which Santi Aldama performed anomalously well.
My point here is that they cannot rely on three-point shooting to bail them out for failing to create offense.
The NBA talent that used to exist for Spain in the past does not exist for this group anymore. They struggle to score inside and are not good from deep.
Greece’s Outlook
In Giannis, Greece is going to have the best player on the court, and it won’t be close.
I find it absurd that the Greeks are favored by such a small number when they have this decisive advantage.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose 34-point output in his team’s opening match demonstrates his excellent form, is a menace on both sides of the court.
He’s so hard to stop as an inside scorer. Moreover, he is in the NBA an annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate thanks to his interior defense. His length and athleticism make him too hard to contain.
With a bit better production behind the arc from his teammates who are capable of doing more and who will benefit from the attention that the Spaniards will have to devote to Giannis, the Greeks are capable of blowing out Spain.
Basketball Best Bet: Greece -4.5 (-115) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Taylor Fritz vs. Jack Draper (Tennis)
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 06:00 AM ET at Stade Roland-Garros
Fritz’s Strength
Taylor Fritz relies heavily on his serve. He is, therefore, going to be likeliest to win when his opponent struggles to return.
Conversely, we should look to go against him when his opponent is a good returner.
Draper’s Return Game
I like Draper as the underdog in this game because his return game is excellent. Among all tennis players, he ranks tenth in return rating.
Among other things, he excels at converting a high percentage of break points.
Rematch
When these two last played, Fritz triumphed, but Draper won one set and lost another set 7-6.
In that match, which took place three months ago in Munich, Draper showed that he could beat Fritz outright.
Draper seemed to lose his grip, mentally speaking, towards the end, and Fritz’s serve statistics in particular show that he overperformed.
It will take very little to go Draper’s way in the rematch for him to pull off the upset by a good margin, and yet we get him as the underdog.
Tennis Best Bet: Jack Draper +3 (-105) at BetOnline
Australia vs. Canada (Basketball)
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 07:30 AM ET at Pierre Mauroy Stadium
Australia Is Guard-Centered
Canada is well-equipped to stop Australia’s offense because the latter is so guard-centered.
It is true that Australia has tried to do more, in terms of improving its roster, to increase its interior production, but this remains a team that relies primarily on its guard play.
Look at its best and most well-reputed NBA talent: it’s guys like Josh Green of the Charlotte Hornets, Joe Ingles of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Patty Mills of the Miami Heat, and Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls whom Australia relies on.
Canada’s Perimeter Defense
Canada has the guard-stoppers with its perimeter defense.
Luguentz Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are both All-NBA-Defense-caliber players thanks to their ability to lockdown guards on the perimeter, which they demonstrated in recent NBA games when they gave Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving a lot of trouble.
Dillon Brooks is also known as a tough defender who locks down opposing guards.
Canada’s Offense
Canada’s guard play will propel its offense. The Canadians handled Greece despite Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets having an unusually poor day.
Gilgeous-Alexander does appear to be in form, and his creative play and scoring talent can ignite the Canadian attack.
My point here is that the talent differential between these teams, which is obscured by the softness of Australia’s opening challenge (Spain), favors Canada so strongly.
Basketball Best Bet: Canada -6.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
