Group play is narrowing down as Group A will be the main focus for Saturday's women's basketball tournament of the 2024 Paris Olympics. With two early matchups ahead, China and Puerto Rico will have the honor of tipping off first with a 5 a.m. ET tip. To follow, Serbia will meet up against Spain as Megan Gustafson hopes to power España to a much-needed victory.
With a pick for both games, our experts came ready for the women's basketball doubleheader for Saturday, August 3 so let's see what exactly their best bets are for the matchups below.
Women's Olympics Basketball Picks, Best Bets | Saturday, August 3
| Time (ET) | Women's Basketball Preliminary Round Best Bets |
|---|---|
| 5:00 a.m. | |
| 7:30 a.m. |
China vs. Puerto Rico — 5 a.m. ET
China -5 1H
This pains me like you don't understand, but betting with your heart isn't smart.
Puerto Rico's women's basketball team, who I, as a Puerto Rican, am actively rooting for because I only root for Puerto Rico and the Mets, overachieved in back-to-back contests against Spain and Serbia. They've lost two games by a combined four points after being around 20-point 'dogs for each — and trailing by double figures for much of both contests.
Their comebacks were in the second half.
China, a team many think could medal, squandered an opportunity to have a stranglehold on this group by losing to Spain in the opener despite leading for most of the contest. Then they got their ass whooped by Serbia despite being eight-point favorites, losing by 22.
This first half is the true bounce back spot. China will assert themselves early against an inferior and much smaller Puerto Rico squad. And if Puerto Rico does cover yet again, it'll likely be due to a second half run, which is how they cut down Serbia and Spain in their first two games. I think this is the play.
Pick: China -5 1H (DraftKings)
Serbia vs. Spain — 7:30 a.m. ET
Spain -3.5
I'm just going with the better team here.
Serbia was thoroughly unimpressive against Puerto Rico, and bounced back against a good China team with a shocking thumping in game two. I think this is a spot to fade Serbia, though.
Spain was losing to China for most of that game and showed their resilience late by forcing them into over time behind Megan Gustafson.
Then in game two, they were equally unimpressive against Puerto Rico, who they defeated by one, and probably shouldn't have at all with better officiating.
I'm electing to go with Spain being in the bounce back spot here instead of riding the Serbia momentum. Spain, to me, is closer to the team they were against China than the team who hardly beat my Boricuas. And I think that team beats Serbia and covers in what should ultimately be a good one.
Pick: Spain -3.5 (DraftKings)
