It all depends on this moment. The bronze and gold medal games are here! The Paris 2024 men's basketball tournament will conclude with a medal doubleheader. At 5am ET, Germany, led by Dennis Schroeder, will face Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, who just pushed the US team to the limit in a close semifinal.
And of course, at 3:30pm ET, the Rising Stars will take to the stage as Kevin Durant, LeBron James and the rest of Team USA take on France, led by young star Victor Wembanyama, and compete for the gold medal. It'll be a big ask for the Americans, with something to prove on home soil in France, but it promises to be an exciting matchup.
As we gear up for the final round of men's basketball at the Summer Olympics, our experts will be there from 5am-3:30pm ET bringing you the best bets for Saturday, August 10. Check out our expert picks below.
Men's Olympic Basketball Predictions, Odds | Saturday, August 10
Germany vs. Serbia — 5 a.m. ET
Brian Fonseca's Olympic Men's Basketball Prediction for Germany vs. Serbia: Nikola Jokic to be Serbia's Top Scorer | Top Scorer
Brian Fonseca
Bet 365 predicts Jokic to lead Serbia at -115.
This seems more reassuring to me, but if you think Jokic will be Serbia's top scorer, you might want to bet on him at +220.
Germany is physically strong but doesn't have anyone capable of guarding Jokic one-on-one, and while they may have to double up with Mo Wagner, Daniel Theis and Johannes Voigtmann, that could hurt them if Serbia can show some shooting ability against the U.S.
At the end of the day, both teams will want to make a run, which I think will work in their favor, and Jokic will be hoping to win bronze and give Serbia its first Olympic men's basketball medal in eight years.
Prediction: Nikola Jokic to be Serbia's top scorer | Top Scorers (Bet365)
Joe Derella's Germany vs. Serbia Men's Olympic Basketball Prediction: Andreas Obst to make at least 1.5 3-pointers (-115)
Joe Derella
Obst is a 3-point shooting expert and while his minutes were cut short against Greece, he did play 20 meaningful minutes against France, so he'll have a great opportunity against a Serbia team that plays at a blistering pace.
Serbia has allowed its opponents to make an astounding 44.4% (68 of 153) from three-point range through five games. The defensive rotations are not crisp and Obst needs minimal time to make three-pointers.
I'll get Obst to make at least two 3's and sprinkle in some alts as well 3+ (+240 Bet365) 4+ (+650 Bet365).
Pick: Andreas Obst 1.5 3s or more (-115) (ESPN Betting)
USA vs. France — 3:30 p.m. ET
Brian Fonseca's USA vs. France Men's Olympic Basketball Predictions: Kevin Durant over 13.5 points
Brian Fonseca
By the time you read this, Kevin Durant might be 14.5, and I'd be happy with that.
He was under three straight games, but that's how it played out in Serbia, and Durant wasn't needed as much in Puerto Rico or Brazil.
This is where France should show off KD's pull-up jump shot and his ability to send shots over the heads of Victor Wembanyama, Mathias Lesort, Guerschon Yabusele and Rudy Gobert (if he's able to play in this game), and given his size, it probably will.
Of course I prefer 13.5 but 14.5 is fine too, I just wouldn't push it any further than that.
Pick: Kevin Durant 13.5+ points
Joe Derella's USA vs. France Men's Olympic Basketball Predictions: LeBron James PRA over 31.5 (-110)
Joe Derella
LeBron James will lead the US team to a gold medal against France.
LeBron led the U.S. in points, rebounds and assists, and he recorded a triple-double in 32 minutes against Serbia, so expect him to have an extended game against France as he has a chance to further cement his legacy.
LeBron only played more than 20 minutes in three of the five Olympic games, with a PRA above 31.5 in two of those games. France appears to have changed their rotation to remove Rudy Gobert from significant minutes, optimizing Wembley's defense while also freeing up the court for LeBron.
Expect King to power the U.S. offensive line and penetrate the French defense. I'll give him a PRA of 31.5 or higher.
Pick: LeBron James 31.5 PRA or better (-110) (DraftKings)
Brian Fonseca's USA vs. France Men's Olympic Basketball Prediction: Evan Fournier to make at least 1.5 3-pointers
Brian Fonseca
By the time you read this, Kevin Durant might be 14.5, and I'd be happy with that.
He was under three straight games, but that's how it played out in Serbia, and Durant wasn't needed as much in Puerto Rico or Brazil.
This is where France should show off KD's pull-up jump shot and his ability to send shots over the heads of Victor Wembanyama, Mathias Lesort, Guerschon Yabusele and Rudy Gobert (if he's able to play in this game), and given his size, it probably will.
Of course I prefer 13.5 but 14.5 is fine too, I just wouldn't push it any further than that.
Pick: Evan Fournier 1.5+ 3-pointers (Bet365)
Joe Derella's USA vs. France Men's Olympic Basketball Predictions: Joel Embiid over 12.5 points (-120)
Joe Derella
Joel Embiid dominated both Gobert and Wenby in recent games. Since Rudy Gobert joined the Wolves, Embiid has scored 32, 39 and 51 points against Gobert, and in one game against Wenby, Embiid had a legendary 70-point performance. France could use Guerschon Yabusele or Mathias Lesort to fill Embiid with other players, but Embiid's ability to score in a variety of ways is invaluable. Wenby can't afford to get into foul trouble here, so I expect Team USA to rely heavily on Joel Embiid as the starter in this game. I would expect him to score over 12.5 points.
Pick: Joel Embiid over 12.5 points (-120)
How do you rate this article?
