The bronze medal in men's basketball is on the line when Germany faces Serbia at Accor Arena on Saturday in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Germany suffered its first loss of the Summer Games on Thursday as it dropped a 73-69 decision to host nation France in the semifinals. The Germans are looking to win their first Olympic medal, while Serbia is aiming for its second since regaining its status as an independent country in 2006. The Serbs, who squandered a 17-point lead en route to a 95-91 loss against the United States in the semis, won silver in the 2016 Rio Games after collecting six medals (one gold, four silvers, one bronze) while part of Yugoslavia.
Tipoff is scheduled for 5 a.m. ET. The Serbs are 2.5-point favorites in the latest Serbia vs. Germany odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 170.5. Before making any Germany vs. Serbia picks or 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball predictions, you need to see what SportsLine writer Matt Severance has to say.
Severance is a well-connected writer and high-volume handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005. He went 231-161 for a profit of $1,237 on his NBA picks last season and has returned $4,452 over the past three NBA campaigns. And over the past four college basketball seasons, Severance is up $887. Anyone following his basketball picks has seen huge returns.
Now, Severance has broken down Serbia vs. Germany from every angle and just revealed his picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the lines and trends for Germany vs. Serbia:
- Germany vs. Serbia spread: Serbia -2.5
- Germany vs. Serbia over/under: 170.5 points
- Germany vs. Serbia money line: Serbia -130, Germany +100
- GER: The Germans have allowed an average of 71.4 points per game
- SER: C Nikola Jokic was 0-for-6 from 3-point range in the semifinals and is 2-for-16 in the tournament
- Germany vs. Serbia picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Germany can cover
The Germans are assured of their best finish in the Summer Games, as their previous best was seventh place in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but they're seeking a spot on the podium. They have played well defensively in Paris, limiting all five opponents to fewer than 78 points, and are facing a Serbian team that is allowing 89.2 per contest. NBA players Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic and Dennis Schroder of the Brooklyn Nets have carried the offense for Germany, as both have scored in double figures in every game of the tournament thus far.
Wagner is averaging a team-high 18.6 points after scoring 10 and pulling down eight rebounds against France in the semifinals. The 22-year-old forward led the Germans in scoring twice in their first five games and tied Schroder for first on the club in the group-stage finale versus the French with 26 points. A 30-year-old guard, Schroder registered a double-double (13 points, 12 assists) in Germany's first group-stage contest and has averaged 18 points -- the exact amount he produced in the semifinal loss -- and 7.8 assists in the Paris Games. Meanwhile, center Daniel Theis of the New Orleans Pelicans has contributed nine points and eight rebounds per game. See which team to pick here.
Why Serbia can cover
The Serbs are hoping to bounce back quickly from the loss to the U.S. in which it led by as many as 17 points. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has posted four double-doubles in the Paris Games and is averaging 18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and eight assists. The 29-year-old center recorded 17 points and 11 assists against the Americans while also notching five boards - all on the defensive end.
Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic also has had an impressive Olympics for Serbia as he is tied with Jokic for the team lead with an 18.8-point average. The 31-year-old guard scored 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range, against South Sudan in the group-stage finale and recorded 20 versus the United States in the semifinals. Jokic and Bogdanovic are the only remaining members of Serbia's silver medal-winning team in the 2016 Rio Games. Vasilije Micic of the Charlotte Hornets (12.2 points) and fellow guard Aleksa Avramovic (10) also have double-digit scoring averages for Serbia. See which team to pick here.
How to make Serbia vs. Germany picks
Severance has analyzed Germany vs. Serbia from every angle, and he's leaning Under on the point total. He also has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's sharing what it is, and which side to back, only at SportsLine.
So who wins Serbia vs. Germany in the bronze-medal game of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Germany vs. Serbia spread to jump on, all from the expert who's up $4,452 over the past three NBA seasons, and find out.
