Team USA is already in medal season when they face Serbia in the Olympic semi-finals Thursday.
Nikola Jokic leads a strong Serbia team that will provide Team USA with passes every minute he is on the floor.
Serbia was defeated by the USA in the group stage of the Olympics, 110-84, but Jokic completely transforms this team when he is on the floor.
Jokic’s plus/minus in a historic comeback over Australia was +17, and they were -12 in the seven minutes he didn’t play.
The United States is a 16-point favorite in the game and -1800 on the money line to reach the gold medal game.
Last time we nailed backing Team USA as favorites at 26.5 points and LeBron James over 6.5 assists (+100). We’re looking at a different betting angle for this one.
USA vs Serbia Prediction
In the first match of the group stage, Serbia were just 12 points behind but find themselves much further down as 16-point underdogs on Thursday.
Serbia’s main concern will be survival in non-Jokic minutes, as their team minus Jokic is far from a top squad in the world.
Olympics in Paris 2024
The Nuggets won’t want to see it, but Jokic may have to play nearly every minute of this game.
Kevin Durant and LeBron James led the way for Team USA, and that could happen again Thursday considering there’s no one in Serbia who can match that duo.
But medal matches will always create additional pressure, even with top players across the roster.
Look to back Serbia here as 16-point underdogs here with a place in the finals on the line.
The fair number is probably closer to the 12 it was in the group stage, even considering the total dominance of USA basketball in the games leading up to it.
CHOICE: Serbia +16 (-110)