Team USA vs. South Sudan: Preview, Prediction and odds (July 20, 2024) | USA Basketball Showcase Game

Team USA is in London for two tune-up games before the 2024 Paris Olympics, starting with a showdown against South Sudan on Saturday. The Americans left Abu Dhabi with a 2-0 mark after dispatching Australia 98-92 before drubbing Serbia 105-79. LeBron James and Co. will hope to stay unbeaten as they head to France.

Meanwhile, the East African team spent last week in Spain playing two friendly games. They lost to Argentina 81-72 before bouncing past Portugal 80-72. The Americans are undoubtedly their toughest opposition in the lead-up to the Olympics.

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Team USA vs. South Sudan: preview, prediction and odds

The O2 Arena in London will host the showdown between Team USA and South Sudan. Courtside 1891 is the official network covering the pre-Olympic and Olympic basketball games.

Spread: USA (-15.5) vs South Sudan (+15.5)

Total (O/U): USA (o177.5 -115) vs. Sudan (o177.5 -105)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Team USA vs. South Sudan: Game Preview

The Americans vowed to clean up their sloppy execution after the close loss to Australia. They did as promised by blowing out Nikola Jokic and the Serbians. Steph Curry, in his best game in the preparation stage, peppered the Serbs with long-range bombs.

Steve Kerr’s team has had some growing pains but they finally put together their best complete game against Serbia. Kerr will likely tinker more with their plays and combinations but it might not matter versus the opposition. No team is as stacked and as talented as the names on his roster.

The South Sudanese will make history when they compete in the Paris Olympics. It will be their first time to qualify for the tournament. They punched a ticket to the quadrennial games by topping the African zone in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Going up against the Americans could be an eye-opener for them. Only two players on the side that will play on Saturday have NBA experience. Wenyen Gabriel, LeBron James’ former LA Lakers teammate, and Carlik Jones, who had stints in Dallas, Denver and Chicago, will lead the Africans.

Head coach Royal Ivey will have a headache trying to generate points against their quicker, bigger and more skilled opponents.

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Team USA vs. South Sudan: Prediction

Upsets can always happen in basketball, regardless of the disparity in talent. The Americans, though, are all business and showed their readiness by whipping Serbia. Never say never, but do not expect South Sudan to pull the rug from under the gold medal favorites on Saturday.