The preliminary round of the women's basketball tournament of the 2024 Summer Games is winding down, but not before a four-game slate on Sunday with a 5 a.m. ET matchup between Japan and Belgium to start it all off. The early matchups ahead in the preliminary round are crucial as they set the stage for the quarterfinals, with significant implications for the teams' performances.
Afterwards, there will be a Canada vs. Nigeria face-ff at 7:30 a.m. ET. Team USA aims to continue their dominance on their quest for the gold as they get Germany in their next test at 11:15 a.m. ET. This game will take place at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, a key venue for the event. And for the Sunday finale, Australia and France finish off the action at 3 p.m. ET.
Don't miss out on how games pan out before the quarterfinals arrive as our experts get you prepared for Sunday with best bets for August 4. Check out the picks below!
Women's Olympics Basketball Picks, Best Bets | Sunday, August 4
| Time (ET) | Women's Basketball Preliminary Round Best Bets |
|---|---|
| 5:00 a.m. | |
| 11:15 a.m. |
Japan vs. Belgium — 5 a.m. ET
Belgium -4.5 (1H)
Belgium won EuroBasket in 2023, so it's hard to see them going 0-fer in the Olympics.
They're better the Japan overall and even hung in with Team USA for most of the game before losing by 13.
Belgium shot 5-for-27 from 3 in the loss, which is to say, against a very small Japanese roster, they should be able to generate better looks and have a better display from deep. Additionally, they should win the rebounding match-up after being -20 against Team USA.
Despite the shooting and battle on the glass, it was a competitive game, and I expect some carry over.
Pick: Belgium -4.5 1H (Bet365)
Germany vs. United States –11:15 a.m. ET
Germany +19.5
Team USA isn't shooting enough 3s, leaving themselves open to what happened against Belgium last game.
USA won by just 13 points — did not cover — and shot 5-for-14 from 3, which is 35.7%. That's a solid percentage, but the issue is that they shot only 14 3s in the game. Belgium, luckily, was 5-for-27, and outmanned on the glass (48-28 rebounds for USA). USA was also 4-for-20 in the opener vs. Japan.
Germany, however — who has looked like the second or third best team in the tournament — is a step up in competition, went 8-for-16 vs Belgium and 6-for-20 vs Japan. They've also been able to defend at a high level and attack the rim with success, accumulating 47 free-throw attempts across two games.
It's just a big number and Team USA hasn't shoot too much or too well from deep. Germany is also just good. I think USA wins, but I'd be surprised if it's by 20+ points.
Pick: Germany +19.5 (DraftKings)
