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United States vs. Puerto Rico Men's Basketball: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Pre-tournament favorites USA have wasted no time in laying down the gauntlet in France, recording convincing victories over Serbia and South Sudan to secure a place in the quarterfinals with one group stage game remaining.

That final match will see them clash with already-eliminated Puerto Rico on Saturday morning and most will be expecting another comfortable victory for LeBron James and co. 

Puerto Rico were beaten 90-79 by South Sudan before being crushed 107-66 by a Nikola Jokic-led Serbia last time out, leaving them on two points and with no hope of reaching the quarters, suffering an early exit in their first Olympic basketball appearance since 2004. 

USA will be keen to get the job done without exerting too much energy on Saturday, though, which could keep things respectable at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, although the second-string team will be out to impress. 

United States vs. Puerto Rico Men betting picks and predictions

USA -32.5 (-110)

With their place in the quarterfinals already secured, some fans may expect the USA to take their foot off the gas for this final group game against the weakest side in the section, Puerto Rico. 

However, that idea may not have even crossed Steve Kerr’s mind. The Golden State Warriors and team USA coach will be keen to keep momentum going while also securing the easiest possible route to the final by finishing as the highest-ranked team in the group stage. 

Finishing as one of the two best-ranked teams would secure the USA a clash against a side who finished third in their group, making progression to the semis a seemingly easier task. 

Puerto Rico showed some signs of promise when losing by just 11 points to South Sudan in their opener, but then quickly regressed by suffering a 41-point loss to Serbia in their second game.

Given the USA beat Jokic’s Eagles by 26 points, it could be a morning to forget for Los Gallos. 

South Sudan covered the spread against the States but their size helped disrupt the USA at times, something a much shorter Los Gallos side will be unable to do. 

Jose Alvarado of the New Orleans Pelicans is Puerto Rico’s only NBA representative and while he is a solid defender at the highest level, his clamping ability will only get his nation so far as he will be unable to keep tabs on Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards and James all at once. 

Even if Kerr opts to utilize some of his second-string, a heavy Puerto Rico defeat still looks to be on the cards.

Tyrese Haliburton has played just eight minutes in France but he was the NBA assist leader last season and will be keen to impress, as will Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum, who have both sat out entire games at the Olympics this summer. 

Even a second-string USA side is much stronger than Puerto Rico’s roster, and it could be a heavy win for the States in Villeneuve d’Ascq based on the friendly the two played last summer, Los Gallos lost by 43 points.

Over 188.5 (-110)

Given Puerto Rico shipped 107 points to Serbia, a side the USA bagged 110 against, it seems likely the net could swish with frequency at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday. 

Both of the States’ games in France this summer have gone over 188.5 points, and it could pay to back that total to be reached once again for numerous reasons. 

Firstly, the USA flexed all of their attacking muscles when beating a Serbia side littered with NBA talent in their opener, suggesting they should have no issues scoring a plethora of points against a far less talented Los Gallos. 

Secondly, the States’ back-up players are out to impress. Those who have seen limited minutes in France, from Edwards to Tatum, will be looking to make an impact as they receive greater time on the court against the already-eliminated Puerto Rico, and they should be expected to thrive as a result. 

Young stars Edwards, Haliburton, Tatum and Bam Adebayo will allow for the likes of James, Curry, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis to have their loads’ managed, and their freshness could be seen to great effect against a Puerto Rico side who are only playing for pride having already been dumped out. 

And lastly, Kerr doesn’t know the meaning of taking it easy. A star on the dominant Chicago Bulls side of the 90’s as a player and coach of the best attacking team in the NBA this century, the Golden State Warriors, attacking basketball is in Kerr’s DNA. 

Even though the USA are assured of a place in the next round, Kerr will still expect his side to attack the basket with intensity and make the most of the open looks they should receive due to Puerto Rico’s defensive deficiencies. 

The USA should land a comfortable win, with Los Gallos likely to chip in with just enough points themselves to take the points total over the 188.5 line.

United States vs. Puerto Rico Men odds

Spread

USA -32.5

Total Points

O/U 188.5

Read USA vs. Puerto Ruci: How to watch, TV Channel, streaming start time, injury report and stats on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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