Serbia vs Australia Prediction, Picks, Odds, News, Injury Report 8/6/24

Serbia and Australia are two of the preeminent forces in men’s basketball. Australia have been semifinalist at the last two Olympics, while Serbia were runners-up at the 2014 and 2023 FIBA World Cups. Even with a 7.5-point spread, this is a close game to call when making a Serbia vs Australia prediction.

Australia snuck through in second place despite losing their last two group games. After a blowout a the hands of the USA, Serbia cruised past South Sudan and Puerto Rico to book their place in the knockout rounds.

With Olympic basketball getting underway, our Expert Insights are stacked with basketball betting tips. Expert Sam Cox will have his best bets throughout the regular season.

Serbia vs Australia  Prediction and Picks

• Selection: Serbia -7.5
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: Bet365
• Stakes: 4/10

There’s no need to overthink this one. Serbia have the best player in the world. Australia just lost two of their three games. Australia might have more recognizable names for NBA fans, but they lack top-end talent. Serbia are hardly a one-man team, with Bogdan Bogdanovic and Filip Petrusev already having big offensive performances at these Games.

Nikola Jokic will be able to control the pace of this contest. At the other end, Serbia have enough defensively to shrink the floor and take advantage of Australia’s lack of shooting. A second-round exit at last year’s World Cup shows where Australia stand in the world game at the moment. Serbia are a top-three team in the world – don’t be put off by their loss to an all-time great USA team in the first round.

Game Info

• Stadium: Pierre Mauroy Stadium
• Location: Lille, France
• Start time: 13:00 UK time

Serbia News, Injury Report, Schedule: Diverse Offensive Options

After a heavy defeat to the USA, Serbia bounced back by comfortably getting past Puerto Rico and South Sudan. The knockout phase represents much greater challenges for Nikola Jokic and co., however.

Serbia have had a different top scorer in each of their games. Last time out, Bogan Bogdanovic dropped 30 points to become the nation’s all-time leading scorer. They need Bogdanovic and his perimeter colleagues to shoot the ball efficiently if they are to land a medal this summer.

Australia News, Injury Report, Schedule: Good Size, Lacking Shooting

Despite the impressive play of Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, and Jock Landale, Australia were fortunate to progress with two losses from three games. All three games were competitive in a stacked group, but this roster lacks shooting, and that saw their offence get stuck in the mud at times.

With Giddey, Daniels, and Dante Exum as perimeter options, the Boomers have great size. This is their biggest strength, and they will need to use that length to disrupt Serbia’s passing lanes if they are to stage an upset in Lille on Tuesday afternoon.

Serbia vs Australia H2H: Serbia Hold 2-1 Edge

It was a win apiece for these nations when they met at the Olympics in 2016. Serbia got the better of the Aussies in the semis. Their only previous contest since Serbia became an independent nation was at the 2010 FIBA World Cup – Serbia were victorious by 15 points on that occasion.

Of course, a lot has changed on both rosters since 2010 and 2016. Both nations have enjoyed plenty of success over that period.

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