Group Play for men’s basketball in the 2024 Paris Olympics kicks off early on Saturday morning with Spain taking on Australia in a Group A matchup. 

Both of these teams are in the middle of the pack when it comes to the odds to win gold, but they’ve also had great international success, with Australia most recently taking home the bronze in the 2020 Olympics. 

Here’s a look at the odds, rosters, players to watch for and my pick for this Group A matchup. 

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

Moneyline

Total

Spain

There’s a lot of talent on this Spain squad, which is usually a group with a ton of continuity – led by 39-year-old Rudy Fernandez. While Fernandez is now more a role player given his age, he did play 14.0 minutes per game across two contests in last year’s World Cup. 

If Spain is going to make a deep run, NBA players like Juancho and Willy Hernangomez, as well as Santi Aldama, will need to lead the way. 

Australia

This Australia team is going to be a fun one to watch this summer. Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Duop Reath and Jock Landale are all young NBA players that could pose a bit of a threat to some of the top teams in the tournament. 

I’m also interested in veterans Joe Ingles and Patty Mills, who have a ton of experience internationally and have given teams trouble in the past. Mills averaged 21.7 points per game in the 2020 Olympics and 19.0 points per game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. 

I am high on this Australia team given the talent it has – veteran and young – across the roster. 

While Spain has some NBA talent and some great overseas players, it lacks the star power that Australia has with Giddey, Mills, Ingles and Daniels on the roster. I am worried about Dante Exum (dislocated finger) and his status for Group Play, but Australia still has the more talented team. 

It is tricky to gauge how some of these teams will play until we see their true rotations in the Olympics, but I’m willing to lay the points with the team that took home the bronze just a few years ago. 

Pick: Australia -5.5 (-110)

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.