Olympics best bets: USA vs. South Sudan in men’s basketball

The picks — SGP: South Sudan +39.5 alt spread, LeBron James 12+ points, 4+ rebounds, 4+ assists (+130, Caesars)

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An embarrassment of riches. That, my betting friends, is what Steve Kerr has with Team USA.

When you can choose to not give a single second of playing time to Jayson Tatum — a four-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-Star and reigning NBA champion — in a contest decided by a comfortable margin, it sums up Uncle Sam’s basketball luxuries. Kerr said he felt “like an idiot” for keeping the Celtics star on the bench in the 110-84 win against Serbia and confirmed that Tatum will play against South Sudan on Wednesday.

The last time the United States clashed with the Sudanese, a shocker of incredible proportions nearly occurred. In the July 20 exhibition game, the Americans sloughed their way to a skin-of-their-teeth 101-100 win. In that unforeseen outcome, South Sudan drained 14 three-pointers, held its own on the glass (47-45 USA advantage) and shot a respectable 47.5% from the field.

In the U.S.’s Group C opener against the Serbians, Kevin Durant channeled the entire original Dream Team, scoring an out-of-this-world efficient 23 points in 17 minutes. What do KD and cohorts have in store for the encore?

Here’s a breakdown of SGP legs in a more meaningful USA vs. South Sudan rematch.

LeBron James 12+ points, 4+ rebounds, 4+ assists. I’m convinced LeBron is swallowing multiple Total T bottles daily. As dominant as ever, the 39-years-young GOAT continues to viciously carve up defenses whether on rim attacks, jumper rains, dime dishes or glass seals. The ultimate stat sheet stuffer’s 21-7-9 line against Serbia could become commonplace at the Paris Olympics. In the exhibition squeaker against South Sudan, LBJ scored 25 points, grabbed six boards and handed out seven assists. Motivated to destroy, he should crush the numbers outlined above the second time around.

South Sudan +39.5 alt spread. Pull a page out of the unrelated-related strategy playbook and the juice jacks. This is the highest line available on South Sudan in the alt market. Will it be a profuse sweat? Most likely. Based on Team USA’s recent nip-and-tuck affair against JT Thor and countrymen, it knows not to take the competition lightly. The barely favored Sudanese impressively disposed of Puerto Rico 90-79 in their Olympics opener. They’re likely to endure a beatdown by the U.S., but count on them to splash enough treys to remain within 40.

Olympics basketball record: 0-1, -1.00 units

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