With the semifinal round of the 2024 Paris Olympics’ men’s basketball tournament concluded, the final showdown is set: Team USA will face off against France. Both teams are guaranteed a medal, but the question remains whether it will be gold or silver.h in points with a 122-87 victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals. A thrilling comeback win against Serbia, 95-91, secured their fifth consecutive trip to the gold medal game. Host nation France went 2-1 in group play and entered the knockout stage as the No. 5 seed. They handed Canada its first loss of the tournament with an 82-73 win in the quarterfinals. A 73-69 victory over Germany in the semifinals set up a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics gold medal game against Team USA.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball gold medal game approaches, both Team USA and France have unveiled their complete lineups, promising an electrifying contest. Team USA, under the guidance of coach Steve Kerr, features a blend of seasoned veterans and dynamic young talent. The roster includes NBA superstars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis, alongside emerging talents such as Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Complementing this formidable lineup are versatile players like Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, and Damian Lillard, ensuring depth and versatility across all positions. On the other side, France, coached by Vincent Collet, is equally impressive with a lineup that combines experience and youthful exuberance. Leading the charge is the prodigious Victor Wembanyama, supported by NBA stalwarts Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, and Nicolas Batum. The French team also features key contributors like Frank Ntilikina, Elie Okobo, and Guerschon Yabusele, who bring a mix of defensive prowess and offensive firepower. With both teams showcasing a wealth of talent and strategic acumen, the gold medal game is set to be a captivating battle of basketball excellence.
Olympic Men’s Basketball Bracket
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, Aug. 6
- Germany 76-63 Greece
- Serbia 95-90 Australia (OT)
- France 82-73 Canada
- Team USA 122-87 Brazil
Semifinals: Thursday, Aug. 8
- Team USA 95-91 Serbia
- France 73-69 Germany
Bronze Medal Game: Saturday, Aug. 10
- Germany vs. Serbia: 5:00 a.m. ET | USA Network
How to Watch the Gold Medal Game
- Date:Â Aug. 10, 2024
- Time:Â 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location:Â Accor Arena, Paris
- TV:Â NBC
- Streaming:Â Peacock, nbcolympics.com, fuboTV
Expert Predictions
Sports Illustrated: Bet Team USA to Cover Against France Peter Dewey writes: “I’m certainly skeptical given the depth on the wings and down low for the Americans. With Gobert dealing with a finger injury and getting benched, the French haven’t used their massive defensive frontcourt on this run to the final. I think that benefits Team USA, as it should only need to play one big man at a time to contain this French team. While the home crowd will be behind Wemby and company, Team USA is still the more talented squad and has won four of its five games by 13 or more points in these Olympics. I’ll lay the points with the Americans after they faced arguably their toughest test of the summer in the semifinals.”
Sporting News: Take Team USA to Beat France Stephen Noh writes: “France is a good team, but the USA should still be able to take them down. Nobody has been able to slow down LeBron. Now that Curry is going, that pick-and-roll duo is going to be even more lethal. Steve Kerr didn’t even use Jayson Tatum in the win against Serbia, showing how many weapons he has at his disposal. Good offense usually beats good defense, and the USA might have the best collection of scorers to ever set foot in a gym. France doesn’t have the firepower to keep up, and a flurry of 3’s is all that it will take to put them away.”
ATS.IO: Bet France with the Points vs. United States Jay Sanin writes: “The United States should be able to win the gold medal game against France. But France is so tough on the interior that they should be able to put up a fight on the glass throughout this game. Look for France to cover the number, even if the Americans will eventually win the gold in what should be a great finale to the men’s basketball tournament in France.”
Basketball Men’s Olympics Trivia
- The USA men’s basketball team has won the gold medal 16 times since the sport was introduced to the Olympics in 1936.
- The “Dream Team” of 1992, featuring legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, is often considered the greatest basketball team ever assembled.
- France has won two silver medals in men’s basketball, in 1948 and 2000, and is looking to add another to their tally in 2024.
- The 1972 Munich Olympics saw one of the most controversial endings in basketball history, where the Soviet Union defeated the USA 51-50 in a game that included a disputed final three seconds.
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