The 2024 Paris Olympics has kicked off, and it has been a massive hit. Now, the women’s Japan and the US teams look forward to making the event even more acclaimed.
The US women’s basketball team will face the Japanese team in the pool opener at the Olympics. The match is scheduled for July 29, 3 PM EST and 9 PM Paris time. The Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France, will host the pool opener, which promises to be a competitive matchup.
The game holds significant value for both teams, given their history. The teams will enter the arena with their previous Tokyo 2020 Olympics Gold medal game in mind.
The US managed to win the match 90-75 to register their 7th consecutive gold medal. The Japanese team will look forward to exacting their revenge on the defending champions.
Currently, the US is the 1st-ranked team in the world, while Japan stands at rank 9. Despite the disparity, the game is expected to be a high-octane contest.
Team Performance and Preparation
The US team is entering the Olympics on a high note, having won the 2022 FIBA World Cup. The Women’s basketball team went 3-0 in the tournament to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
On the other hand, Japan ended the tournament with a tally of 2-1. Their resilient performance earned them a spot in the Olympics, but they did not advance to the FIBA World Cup.
Key Players to Watch
Both teams boast some of the best athletes in the game. Thus, the matchups will be exciting to witness. For the US, these players will be a dominant force:
Brittney Griner: The 6-foot-9 behemoth is a force most teams are unable to stop. The player had previously scored 30 points against Japan to secure the 2022 gold medal game.
A’ja Wilson: Wilson leads the WNBA in blocks per game and is currently on a scoring streak as well. The US expects the player to play a crucial role throughout the entire tournament.
The Japanese team also boasts several prominent figures in the women’s basketball circle, including:
Mai Yamamoto: The promising young player has led all scorers in the Olympic qualifying tournament with an astonishing average of 17 points per game. The young gun will be a key player in the Japanese squad.
Maki Takada: The player scored 17 points against the U.S. in their previous Olympic gold medal encounter. Therefore, everyone on the Japanese team will count on Maki Takada to return as a significant player.
Betting Odds and Predictions
- Odds: With a spread of -19.5, the US is the clear favorite to win. Japan is the underdog in the match, with a spread of +19.5. When it comes to the moneyline, Japan stands at +1400, and the U.S. stands at -3200.
- Total Points: The match between Japan and the US is expected to have 161.5 points, with both the over and under set at -110.
- Best Basketball Betting Sites: For those looking to place bets on this exciting matchup, consider checking out the best basketball betting sites that offer competitive odds and insights.
- Expert Predictions: Experts predict that the US team will start well and maintain its momentum throughout the match. Due to potential tiebreakers, every point scored during the pool phase will be vital.
In Conclusion
The matchup between the US and Japan promises to provide a thrilling start to the Women’s Basketball Olympics. The U.S. will look to assert its dominance, while Japan will aim to get back at the US for their previous Gold medal loss.
Given the quality of the players on both sides, the matchup is expected to be intense.
