wsn-newsletter Subscribe to WSN.

Women’s Basketball at Summer Olympics: USA vs. Australia Semifinal Odds, Player Props & Picks

Contributors
Published August 9, 2024
7 min read

The march to gold continues for the U.S. women’s national basketball team when they face off with Australia in the Paris Olympics semifinal on Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET. Like every game in the tournament, the USWNT is a heavy betting favorite.

While Australia began the Olympics with a crushing loss to Nigeria, they bounced back with wins against Canada and France in group play before dominating Serbia in the quarterfinal. But if they are going to move on to the gold medal game, they must do something they’ve never done before.

Beat Team USA.

Betting Odds for Women’s Basketball Summer Olympics, USA vs. Australia on August 9

As cliché as it may sound, the USWNT’s game against Nigeria was not as close as the final score indicates. Yes, a 14-point scoring differential is not exactly close. But heading into the fourth quarter, the U.S. had a 76-48 advantage.

Australia was in a similar situation heading into the fourth quarter of their quarterfinal matchup vs. Serbia, but they were up 72-48. They went on to win 85-67.

Here’s the betting line for USA vs. Australia. Odds are via BetMGM where new users can get up to $1500 in bonus bets* when using our code WSNSPORTS.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

Team Spread Moneyline Total
USA -17.5 (-115) -2500 O 162.5 (-110)
Australia +17.5 (-105) +1050 U 162.5 (-110)
How We Rate
Affiliate Disclaimer
21+

🔥 Claimed by 198 people this week!

BetMGM

4.5/5

Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets

21+ | Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

Olympic Women Basketball USA vs Australia 2024 08 09

USA vs. Australia Preview

The U.S. and Australia have a pretty long history, and it all favors the U.S. This game will be the seventh time the two teams have met in the knockout stages and ninth overall, dating back to the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.

Team USA went 8-0 in those games, the closest contest came in the gold medal game of the 2004 Summer Olympics, 74-63. They met in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Games; the U.S. won 79-55.

Player Props & Best Bets for Women's Olympics Basketball Semifinal: USA vs. Australia

Jackie Young, OVER 9.5 Points at -140 via BetMGM

Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson led the way in the first two games (vs. Japan and Belgium), but they almost took a backseat to Young in the last two. Young led the team with 19 points against Germany and had 15 vs. Nigeria.

We'd expect Wilson and Stewart to step back in front for this caliber of a game, but not so much that Young doesn't score in double digits.

Breanna Stewart, O/U 17.5 Points at -120 via BetMGM

  • A'ja Wilson, O/U 21.5 Points at -120 via BetMGM

After blowing up and going over their respective totals in the first two games, both players quieted down over the last two, scoring under their totals. What happened? Their decline can be attributed to several factors, but foul shooting and shot volume were the most consistent.

Against Belgium, Stewart's total got a boost from the free throw line (9-10; Wilson went 5-6). In the first game, vs. Japan, it was more of a volume of shots (Stewart was 11-15, Wilson 10-16) but Wilson did get some help from the free throw line (4-6).

Both took 11 shots and made six vs. Germany. Against Nigeria, Wilson was 9-11 while Stewart was 5-7.

Australia ranks seventh in fouls, committing 17.3 per game. Since neither will likely be busy from the free throw line and with players like Jackie Young continuing to have a more significant role (compared to the first two games), both could go under their totals again.

But, if one were to have a big day and go over their total, we'd go with Wilson.

Alanna Smith, O/U 11.5 Points at -120 via BetMGM

  • Ezi Magbegor, O/U 10.5 Points at -120 via BetMGM

  • Sami Whitcomb, O/U 13.5 Points at -120 via BetMGM

The three above players are the top-scoring threats the U.S. will face in this game. Of the three, Whitcomb has been the most consistent, scoring 13, 19, 12, and 15 points. Smith was held scoreless against Canada but had 15, 12, and 22 in the other three games.

Magbegor had 9, 12, and 14 in group play, but just four against Serbia in the quarterfinals.

Of the three, Macbeggor does most of her work inside, where the U.S. has been challenging to score against. We are leaning towards taking the UNDER for her total. The goose egg against Canada has us concerned Smith will struggle against the U.S. defense (go UNDER).

But Whitcomb is the more dynamic of the three, a solid threat from two-point and three-point range. If anyone on Australia's team is going to go over their total, it is her.

Use code WSNSPORTS at BetMGM for $1,500 in Bonus Bets

USA Preview

The formula has been roughly the same for the U.S. throughout the tournament:

  • Play tough-as-nails defense.

  • Make the most of the size differential.

  • Let their athleticism speak for itself.

Overall, the results have been great. They've won every game, and you can't get better than that, right?

Yeah, but they can play better.

Team USA leads the field in several statistical categories (per game): points (91), assists (29.3), blocks (6.3), two-point field goals (58.3%),  rebounds (47.8), efficiency (121.8), etc. But there is one category the U.S. is surprisingly struggling in—three-point shooting.

For a roster with some of the WNBA's top three-pointers on it, the U.S. has not done well shooting from three-point range throughout the tournament (30.8%, eighth).

It is not a significant enough issue to be something Australia can exploit, but it could mean the final score will be closer than expected.

Australia Preview

Incidentally, while the U.S. has been one of the worst three-point shooting teams at the Olympics, Australia has been the best (36.9%). While the U.S. missing three-pointers is not a big deal, if they can heat up from three-point range, the game's complexity will change.

The U.S. has been playing solid defense, but the crux of their strategy has been to let their offense do the talking. It has, of course, to the tune of 91 ppg. But teams that have done well shooting three-pointers have made the U.S. work for the win, at least.

Japan hit 15 of 39 three-pointers, but the U.S. dominated them so much in every other aspect of the game that it didn't matter. Three-pointers helped Germany get within eight in the third quarter before a 20-5 run by the U.S. to end the period put them away.

In the qualifying tournament, Belgium nearly beat the U.S. on a night they shot 12-29 from three-point range while the U.S. only hit 4-19.  

USA vs. Australia Pick

If the U.S. could be counted on to hit a few three-pointers, we'd recommend taking them to cover the spread. But since they have struggled from three-point range, and Australia has not, we think Australia can stay within 17.5 points.

Bet on BetMGM and claim $1500 in Bonus Bets

How to Watch USA vs. Australia

  • Location: Bercy Arena in Paris, France

  • Game Time & Date: 11:30 a.m. E.T. on Friday,  August 9

  • Coverage: USA Network/ Peacock/ NBCOlympics.com

tip_r

Responsible Gambling

If you or someone you know needs support or wants to speak with a professional about responsible gambling, seek out the correct resources. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER to get help, or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. WSN is an advocate for safe gambling practices. Visit our Responsible Gambling Center for more details.

21+ | Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.
Claim Now
Travis Pulver

Travis Pulver

Sports Betting Analyst

Expertise:
NCAAB
WNBA
Betting Picks
Travis Pulver is a lifelong football fan, something he says comes naturally having been born in the football-crazy state of Texas. Through the years, Pulver's love of sports has extended into baseball, basketball, golf, and rugby. Life currently finds him in Indiana with his wife and two kids.
Email: [email protected]
Nationality: American
Education: M.A. in Political Science
Favourite Sportsbook: FanDuel Sportsbook
Favourite Casino: FanDuel Casino
Experience: 17 years
We've been featured on:
espn logo
reuters logo
cbs-news logo
forbes logo
entrepreneur logo
entrepreneur logo
We only list licensed sportsbooks
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
Co2neutral

We support responsible gambling. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you need help, call 1-800-Gambler.

WSN.com is managed by Gentoo Media. Unless declared otherwise, all of the visible content on this site, such as texts and images, including the brand name and logo, belongs to Innovation Labs Limited (a Gentoo Media company) - Company Registration Number C44130, VAT ID: MT18874732, @GIG Beach Triq id-Dragunara, St. Julians, STJ3148, Malta.

Advertising Disclosure: WSN.com contains links to partner websites. When a visitor to our website clicks on one of these links and makes a purchase at a partner site, World Sports Network is paid a commission.

Copyright © 2024