Action is underway at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and one of the headline acts from an Aussie perspective is the Boomers! They get their campaign underway on Saturday night (AEST) in a battle against a fellow powerhouse in Spain. We bring you our full preview and best bet for this Group A clash below!
2024 Paris Olympic Games – Men’s Basketball
Australia vs Spain (7pm AEST)
It’s a brutal draw for Australia, there’s no dancing around that fact. However, if they’re any chance of equalling or bettering their bronze medal finish in Tokyo four years ago, then they should be able to progress. The question is are they good enough?
Like most, if not all Aussie fans of the basketball scene, I was perplexed by the decision coach Brian Goorjian and his coach staff made to leave out Matisse Thybulle from the 12-man squad. Surely one of the best defenders in the NBA and of course the world makes his way into the squad… apparently not.
Moving on, the Boomers have looked great in their lead-up games which has quietened down a few nay-sayers. Josh Giddey, who was recently traded from the Thunder to the Bulls in the NBA, looks far more ready to take charge at the point guard position than he did a year ago in the FIBA World Cup.
The Boomers also have a few others progressing nicely in the NBA with the likes of Josh Green (Mavericks) and Jock Landale (Rockets) expected to feature in the starting five. Veteran guard Patty Mills will also play a key role, and the heroics he’s displayed in recent Games’ will be needed if the Boomers are to achieve their goals of winning a medal.
On the flip side, Spain will be aiming to makes amends in Paris after their disappointing finish in Tokyo 2020 where they lost in the quarterfinals. It was the USA who knocked them out at that stage, but they wouldn’t have played the powerhouse Americans had they finished higher in their group.
Spain are currently ranked #2 in the world according to FIBA, although their results in recent major tournaments have left a lot to be desired. Gone are the days where they have a superstar like Pau Gasol taking over games, instead it’s the likes of Santi Aldama (Grizzlies) who’s their primary threat on offence, and followers of the NBA will know he’s more than containable.
Game Prediction: It’s the group of death for a reason and there are no easy opponents for the Boomers. However, the Aussies have the star power factor over their Spanish counterparts and as long as they bring the required intensity, then they should be too strong in this one.
Australia to Win
$1.55 (2 Units)
