2024-08-02 08:30:01
Team USA and Belgium are slated to square off in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday afternoon in some Group C play. This will be the first time these teams have faced each other in the Olympics. They did play in the 2022 FIBA World Cup, where the United States won 87-72. The Americans also have a 56-game win streak in Olympic play.
Tipoff is at 3 p.m. ET at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in France. The United States is a 22.5-point favorite in the latest Team USA vs. Belgium odds, while the over/under for total points is 165.5. Before making any Belgium vs. USA picks, see the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s basketball predictions from SportsLine’s Calvin Wetzel.
Wetzel, HerHoopStats.com lead betting writer, incorporates his mathematical background and strong knowledge of women’s hoops to turn the site’s prediction model into picks. After teaming up with Aaron Barzilai, a Ph.D. from Stanford, Wetzel is an incredible 1,385-988 (+372.33 units) on women’s college basketball picks since the start of the 2021-22 season. He’s also coming off a great 2023 season with a 238-185-1 overall record that featured a return on investment of nearly 7%. Anyone following him has seen huge returns.
Now, Wetzel has broken down USA vs. Belgium and the Paris Olympics 2024 odds and revealed his best bets. You can find his picks only at SportsLine. Here are the lines and trends for Belgium vs. USA:
- Team USA vs. Belgium spread: United States -22.5
- Team USA vs. Belgium over/under: 165.5 points
- Team USA vs. Belgium money line: United States -4500, Belgium +980
- USA: Team USA had five players score in double figures in the opener against Japan
- BEL: Belgium is the reigning European champion
- Team USA vs. Belgium picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Team USA can cover
Guard Sabrina Ionescu is an extremely smart and instinctive playmaker. Ionescu has a sweet shooting stroke beyond the arc while having the vision to find her open teammates. The 26-year-old is making her Olympic debut but has experience playing for the USA at a junior level. In her first outing against Japan, Ionescu had 11 points, five assists, and made three 3-pointers.
Guard Kelsey Plum is another difference-maker in the backcourt. Plum is a great communicator and is able to attack off the dribble. The 29-year-old also has a nice jumper to space the floor. She won gold with Team USA in Toyko being a part of the 3×3 team. In 14 minutes of action off the bench against Japan, Plum had 11 points and three assists. See the picks at SportsLine.
Why Belgium can cover
Belgium is looking to bounce back after getting handed a loss in its opener. Despite losing by 14 points, Belgium shot 45% from the floor and had 23 assists. Center Emma Meesseman is one of the driving forces on the team in the frontcourt. In the loss to Germany, she had a team-high 25 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Guard Julie Vanloo joins Meesseman to form a dynamic duo. Vanloo is a superb playmaker who likes to push the pace and get out in transition. The 31-year-old can also score from multiple spots on the floor. On Monday, she notched 18 points, six assists and made four 3-pointers. See the picks at SportsLine.
How to make Belgium vs. United States picks
Wetzel has analyzed Team USA vs. Belgium from every angle, and he’s leaning Under on the point total. He has also found a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s sharing what it is, and which side to back, only at SportsLine.
So who wins Team USA vs. Belgium in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and what critical x-factor makes one side of the spread a must back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the expert with a history of crushing his women’s basketball picks, and find out.
