I think Lebanon will win against Canada, Lithuania with Spain should play equal till the end of the game, or overtime, with 5 pts or less victory any of these teams.
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Spain did not played a good game so far on this tournament...so we have a Great team, well coached that did not played great game as of yet...so as Greeks...I think we will be able to see the true Greek team today, even though not likely...they advance now...so I am tiered of saying things here...everybody knows something I don't with team USA I guess...they are the champions, and books gives out GIFTS to us...go claim it right now...funnyComment -
i dont think usa win it allTennis Record
27-33 +8.9Comment -
who would beat the usa?Comment -
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no body...this team is unbeatable, and that's why they are only -185 to win it all...it is obvious that team USA is a champion...and teams like Turkey, Lithuania, Greece, Spain, Argentina, and some other good teams will NEVER beat the USA, so they are locked for the 1st and that's why only -185...GL to allComment -
At the start, I thought Spain would win it all, but they have not looked good at all this tournament.Comment -
Spain vs Greece in the 1st rd on the opposite side of the bracket. Serbia, Turkey AND France also in the top side
USA would play the winner of New Zealand and Russia in the Quarterfinals, and Argentina/Lithuania in the Semis
Whoever wins the top bracket has the toughest road to the Finals ever. HUGE break for Team USA
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US barely beat Brazil in group play. Spain lost to France (which the US blew out in a "friendly" game). If this were a best of 7 playoffs like in the NBA then the US and Spain would might be favorites. But because it's just one and done any of the top teams in the tournament could win (Greece, Spain, France, Serbia, Brazil, Argentina, etc.). All it takes for the US to lose is a couple of bad quarters in a row and the opposing team getting in a groove. Brazil for instance shot something like 70% during the first half of their game with the US. I do not see value in this bet.Comment -
I would also like to point out that France, though they eventually got blown out in the "friendly" match against the US, was very competitive in the first half and even looked like a better team at the beginning of the game. So we can't assume the US team is really that dominant... they just run up the scoreboard and play insanely tough even in friendlies. But when the other teams play hard and strategic ball (like zone defenses, pick and rolls at the top of the key, etc. like Brazil and Spain) the games are much more competitive.
Now that the bracket is set, it's easy to look back and say -148 is a good bet. But this thread was created on 8/25 before the tournament even really started. So at the time, you didn't know Greece and Spain and Argentina and Serbia would all be in the same half of the bracket and the US would only have to play Russia/New Zealand in the quarterfinals. I'm glad it has worked out this way, but at that time that was not a good bet in my opinion. And the "almost" loss to Brazil basically shows that. This is international ball, (as Dimon said) and the US may have the best most athletic players, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to play the best "team" basketball for every 4 quarters. In fact, NBA players are used to best-of-seven games series... not one-and-done games. So it's a completely different kind of pressure. If you're losing focus, or not shooting the ball very well, there is no next game to shoot better or make adjustments. You have to make mid game adjustments and find out what works RIGHT NOW. But NBA players like to sulk and get on the refs during the game when things aren't going their way.
Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the US and I want them to win the tournament. But I'm also realistic. So far the defensive intensity has really impressed me with the US, but you can see how if you use screens and run plays it doesn't matter how tight you are on your man. If you execute your plays you're going to score. If you have a seven footer in the post he can shoot over the top of Kevin love or Lamar Odem. Just like Brazil did against the US. It doesn't matter how much "star power" or athleticism you have. And if you play a good zone defense and collapse well on the US shooters, you'll be able to get some stops.
Beating up on Greece by 27 points in a "friendly" is not a good indication of how well the US would play against them in the actual tournament. The original post about -148 for US to win the tournament in my opinion was not a "steal". In order for that bet to have been a good one, the US would would beat everyone by double figures and then played Spain in the final. But as we're seeing, Spain probably won't make the final, and the US has already almost lost a game. And we'll see how they do in the semis/finals.Comment -
See ya later Greece
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I think USA has struggled at times and is definitely not a for sure thing to win it all, I think there is no clear cut choice right now, if this was the team that won the olympics I would say...damn right, they will win it all.Comment -
Spain is not playing his best basketball, but will be on the safe end.Comment -
Golden Road now for a US/Spain final...Comment -
usa serbia final serbia wina chAMPIONCHIPComment -
At the moment Spain has good value. They will make the finalComment -
talent wise, usa is the best, but can't say that on their teamwork. they can lose if they are not at their best in a game.Comment -
Liked team USA's composure today think they will win this rather easilyComment -
If they have to play turkey in the final in their own stadium with 30,000 mad turks watch out..The home country edge is worth 5 points here.. USA -6-8 vs turkey..-11-13 vs serbia..Comment -
small bet on Lithuania +2000 to win it all...I really think they can beat USA...then I will hedge for sure...but I like LIT at that priceComment -
and I will tell Turkey crowd is worth about 10 points easy...trust meComment -
I wouldn't be shocked if the US loses to Lithuania outright tomorrow.Comment -
Total domination. Never a doubt...
Cash it for 500!! ODIRISH congrats on your hit as well!
I tried to get everyone to go heavy on this one. I gave you guys a stone cold LOCK for -148! Hope at least some followed.
dimon, you made yourself look like a fool in this thread and so did a lot of other postersComment -
Payton.
PavyRacer, you are way out your element in this section. Stick to players talk and college stuff.Cause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
I guess I was right.. This was free moneyComment -
Goat. Thanks for your boost of confidence. I locked in the bet just after I got your PM response.
It was easier than I even expected. Great to see USA back on top in the international game
Good stuff Baller85. I'm glad someone here had their mind right. Anyone who knows basketball could've seen that USA's roster was farrrr superior to any other teams'. Everyone kept calling this the Team USA "B-team" but honestly this team had all the perfect pieces for international play. A lot of people were obviously sleeping on Kevin Durant too.
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they did a nice job especially Durant
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What an epic lock this was. No one can ever touch USA basketball. At least for another 10 years.Comment -
Wish I had put a billion dollars on this line (if I had it lol). Too bad I didn't put any money on this line.Comment
and a half!!