Predicting the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Men’s Basketball Bracket
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
Summer Olympics Men's Basketball Medal Predictions
Gold: USA Silver: Canada Bronze: Serbia Quarterfinals: Germany (-7.5) vs. Greece
Where to Watch: Tuesday, August 6, 5:00 a.m. ET, E
Regarding consistency and continuity, it's hard to pick a better team than Germany thus far through the group-stage games. This group earned the gold medal in the FIBA World Cup last summer, bringing the same energy to Paris thus far with a 3-0 record. They'll be up against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece early Tuesday morning, and looking at the Greeks, it's hard to pinpoint anyone that can match up with the Germans outside Antetokounmpo. It's not an exaggeration to declare that he is their entire team. They played well against Canada, only losing by seven, but in a knockout setting, it's tough to bet against the chemistry of the Germans.
Pick: Germany -7.5
Where to Watch the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Today | TV Listings & Schedule
Quarterfinals: Serbia (-6.5) vs. Australia
Where to Watch: Tuesday, August 6, 8:30 a.m. ET, USA Network
If there were any upset pick to make in the quarterfinals here, it would be the Australian Boomers for me, but I like what Serbia has done too much thus far to go against Nikola Jokic and the rest of the Serbians here. Australia played Canada tough through three quarters before Canada pulled away in the fourth and played against the Americans well in the USA Showcase, only losing by six. With solid guard play, I like Australia to keep this one close, but I expect Jokic to take over in the fourth to seal the victory and Serbia’s advancement.
Pick: Australia +6.5, Serbia to win
Quarterfinals: Canada (-7.5) vs. France
Where to Watch: Tuesday, August 6, 12:00 p.m. ET, E!
Many wanted to see France challenge the USA team for gold heading into the group stage with Paris hosting the games, but after going just 2-1 in group play, France now gets a tough draw as they’re forced to face Canada in the quarterfinals. Despite the size that France boasts with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, they have nothing to defend opposing guards as we saw Dennis Schroder torch the French in the group stage when Germany won by 14. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray can flame the French even worse on Tuesday, so we like Canada to win by double-digits in enemy territory.
Pick: Canada -7.5
Quarterfinals: USA (-26.5) vs. Brazil
Where to Watch: Tuesday, August 6, 3:30 p.m. ET, USA Network
If you’re Brazil, wouldn’t you prefer elimination in the group stage instead of playing Team USA in a single-elimination knockout format? Come on; this game isn’t going to be close. Team USA showed the most chemistry they have in all their games thus far in the second half against Puerto Rico, but they have too often started sluggish against these inferior teams. In a knockout format, I expect Team USA to show a ton of urgency, leading to a 30+ point rout of Brazil.
Pick: USA -26.5
Semifinals: Canada vs. Germany
Where to Watch: Thursday, August 8, Time TBD
In terms of competitiveness, the potential matchup between Canada and Germany would be the best game of the entire Men’s Basketball tournament. Canada would enter this matchup as a slight favorite, and while I want to back Germany due to their continuity and chemistry, I struggle to go against Canada here. For me, it comes down to star power, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray should be able to have their way against a German backcourt that’s thin defensively. This should be an incredible matchup with dynamic offense from both team’s guards and a physical battle in the paint, so be sure to tune in.
Pick: Canada
Semifinals: USA vs. Serbia
Where to Watch: Thursday, August 8, Time TBD
The USA and Serbia are likely to square off in the semifinal stage, and the USA already defeated Serbia 110-84 in the group stage. It’s hard to pick anything different here, but as usual, we’ll be excited to watch another battle in the paint between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.
Pick: USA
Bronze Medal Match: Germany vs. Serbia
Where to Watch: Saturday, August 10, 1:00 p.m. ET, USA Network
We anticipate that Germany and Serbia will square off for the Bronze Medal, giving us a rematch of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Final. Germany won that battle by six points, so could revenge be on the minds of the Serbians? It could go either way, especially for a German team that likely loses a nail-biter to Canada in the semifinals. Germany could easily call it quits here, and Serbia will likely want this matchup more, not only for the medal but to make up for their loss last summer.
We look forward to betting on Serbia plus the points and the moneyline when this line drops.
Pick: Serbia
Gold Medal Match: USA vs. Canada
Where to Watch: Saturday, August 10, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC
For gold, we get the matchup that many people wanted as the two most talented teams square off in a battle for North America, with Canada facing off against Team USA, and we’ll expect the Americans to complete the mission they set their sights on gold a year ago. As much as Team USA should be worried about Canada’s NBA talent, especially in the backcourt, they have enough defenders to minimize their impact. By this point in the tournament, this team should be clicking on all cylinders chemistry-wise. It wouldn’t surprise me if this game is close in the first half, but I would expect Team USA to pull away in the second half like they have done multiple times thus far.
Pick: USA
Summer Olympics Men's Basketball Medal Predictions
Gold: USA Silver: Canada Bronze: Serbia Quarterfinals: Germany (-7.5) vs. Greece
Where to Watch: Tuesday, August 6, 5:00 a.m. ET, E
Regarding consistency and continuity, it's hard to pick a better team than Germany thus far through the group-stage games. This group earned the gold medal in the FIBA World Cup last summer, bringing the same energy to Paris thus far with a 3-0 record. They'll be up against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece early Tuesday morning, and looking at the Greeks, it's hard to pinpoint anyone that can match up with the Germans outside Antetokounmpo. It's not an exaggeration to declare that he is their entire team. They played well against Canada, only losing by seven, but in a knockout setting, it's tough to bet against the chemistry of the Germans.
Pick: Germany -7.5
Where to Watch the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Today | TV Listings & Schedule
