The Gold Medal game is set to be a doozy as the host country is up against the most talented team in the tournament.

Catch the game early on Sunday, August 11th, at 3:30 AM, Manila time.

USA (5-0)

Starting five:

• Stephen Curry
• Devin Booker
• LeBron James
• Bam Adebayo
• Anthony Davis

Team USA got a heck of a scare in the semis against Serbia. They seemingly entered with no sense of urgency after a pair of 26-point wins vs. the same opponent over the last three weeks, and it cost them, so much so that they head to the 4th quarter down by 13. Luckily, talent and drive prevailed, pushing them into a 95-91 victory. 

Stephen Curry had a game-high 36 points with nine threes after four-straight terrible performances, LeBron James his second and only the fourth triple-double in Men’s Olympic hoops history, and Joel Embiid had 19 points, including three crucial baskets in the final period.

While all are commendable, though, they should hope that such efforts aren’t needed again vs. France. You can’t count on heroic nights, especially on the road where the opposition is filled with a lot of emotion.

Top scorers Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards were on the heels of a quiet outing, and they ought to redeem themselves. Jayson Tatum, who was benched for the second time, is on the same boat. He may see the floor again and he has to make the most out of it.

France (4-1)

• Nando De Colo
• Evan Fournier
• Nicolas Batum
• Victor Wembanyama
• Rudy Gobert

The hometown guys have won four of their five games in the tournament, and have compiled a close 79.6 PPG with a tight +3.0 point differential. What’s good, however, is they are coming off two hard-fought, confidence-boosting victories: 83-79 vs. Canada in the quarterfinals, and 73-69 vs. Germany in the semifinals. They were underdogs both times.

France will be parading four players averaging in double-digits: Victor Wembanyama (13.8 PPG), Evan Fournier (10.2 PPG), Guershon Yabusele (12.9 PPG), and Isaia Cordinier (10.6 PPG). All are in good momentum for the finale – we all know how versatile Wemby is and how commanding his presence is, while Yabusele and Cordinier are doing a solid job with their roles. 

However, Wemby and Fournier are both shooting below 38%, and would obviously need a ton of improvement. If they can fix that, the team will have a fighting chance to keep it close until the end, and by then, anything can happen.

Reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert will be key as well. He’s a rim protector and everyone’s job will be easier if he holds his own against the Americans.

PICKS:

Spread: France (+16)

Over/Under: Over (176)