Sunday, December 22, 2024

Spain FIBA OQT prediction: Odds, betting advice for last chance Olympic basketball tournament | Sporting News Canada

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Of the four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) this week — in Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico and Spain — Spain is the home country that has the shortest odds to advance to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Its -700 odds translate to a roughly 88-percent implied winning probability, and the Bahamas squad at +400 is the only other team in the field shorter than +2000.

Now, don’t go thinking this tourney will be a runaway — the Bahamians have loads of talent, highlighted by Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon — but obviously Spain has more depth, experience and home-court advantage.

WATCH: Olympic Qualifying Tournaments on Courtside 1891

So, is there value in betting Spain -700? Are the Bahamians a solid value at +400? Can any other squad shock the masses and upset the field?

Let’s take a look at the full odds for the Spain FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and reveal our best bets for the week.


Spain FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Odds to win

(All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Country Odds
Spain -700
Bahamas +400
Poland +2000
Finland +3000
Angola +20000
Lebanon +25000

Best bet to win Spain FIBA OQTs: Spain (-700)

Spain has not missed the Olympics since 1996, compiling two silver medals and a bronze in that span. Leadership, coaching and winning experience matter, and the home country checks off all three of those boxes. Spain also has strong defense, an up-tempo attack and dependable 3-point shooting.

The Bahamas will mount a decent threat, but there’s no way we could predict an upset over Spain. And with -700 odds — which basically means you would need to risk $700 for the chance to win $100 in profit — there’s simply no value here.

Consider betting the Bahamas with the points if and when the team faces the home country in the final round.

Best early-week bet: Bahamas (-5.5) vs. Finland (-115)

These squads are simply in a different stratosphere in terms of overall talent. With the 3-point shooting of Gordon and Hield and the interior presence of Ayton, it’s tough to see the Bahamas struggling to run away from Finland.

Without Lauri Markkanen, Finland has been manhandled by top-tier teams this year, and this one should be no different.

FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Spain 2024: Schedule, dates, times

Tuesday, July 2

Matchup Group Time (ET)
Finland vs. Bahamas B 11:30 a.m.
Lebanon vs. Spain A 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3

Matchup Group Time (ET)
Bahamas vs. Poland B 11:30 a.m.
Spain vs. Angola A 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 4

Matchup Group Time (ET)
Angola vs. Lebanon A 11:30 a.m.
Poland vs. Finland B 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 6

Matchup Time (ET)
TBD vs. TBD — Semifinals TBD
TBD vs. TBD — Semifinals TBD

Sunday, July 7

Matchup Time (ET)
TBD vs. TBD — Final 2:30 p.m.

How to watch FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Spain 2024

  • Dates: July 2-7
  • Live stream: Courtside 1891 on DAZN

Basketball fans hoping to stream the FIBA Olympic qualifiers can catch all the action on Courtside 1891, which is available through DAZN.

FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Spain 2024 groups

Group A

Group B

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