Sports

Chris Pike’s Opals Olympic Preview: Quarter Finals

Posted on | Posted by TABtouch

Quarter Final v Serbia (5pm WST Wednesday 7th August)

Following the Paris 2024 quarter-final heartbreak for the Australian Boomers against Serbia, the Opals try to earn a measure of revenge on the same nation with a semi-final berth on the line on Wednesday night.

The Boomers campaign at the Paris Olympic Games ended on Tuesday night in overtime against Serbia after they couldn’t quite capitalise on a 24-point lead in the first half and on a brilliant Patty Mills 26-point performance that included hitting one of the shots of his life to force the game into overtime.

While disappointing for the Australian men to not be able to back up their bronze medal from Tokyo, the Opals are still alive as they look to get back to playing off for their first medal since London 2012 having missed out in Rio and Tokyo.

The task ahead of the Opals is also to play against Serbia in the quarter-time on Wednesday night with the winner to advance to a semi-final against the winner of the USA-Nigeria quarter-final match up on Thursday.

The Opals saw their Olympics campaign get off to a horror start with the 13-point loss to Nigeria, but they have hit back well with five and seven-point wins respectively against Canada and then the previously undefeated host nation France.

Credit must go to coach Sandy Brondello for making the necessary changes after the loss to Nigeria which has included putting the ball almost predominately in the hands of Sami Whitcomb, and keeping Kristy Wallace and Izzie Borlase virtually anchored to the bench after their struggles.

The experience of Cayla George, Marianna Tolo, Tess Madgen and Steph Talbot has also been backed in. It’s been working with that especially impressive performance to hand France their first defeat in Paris to qualify for the quarter finals.

It is a significant task to try and overcome Serbia, though, who did defeat Puerto Rico and China in the group phase before a defeat to Spain.

Yvonne Anderson has been impressive for Serbia with 13.3 points and 7.0 assists a game so she will be one the Opals need to watch. On the back of that, Anderson looks a good option for over 15.5 points at $1.85*.

Jovana Nogic has also averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 assists, and Masa Jankovic 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds.

However, it does look to be a team the Opals match up well against in terms of experience, talent and positionally. The odds back that up with Australia coming into the game at $1.28* to win.

That does look short with Serbia to be plucky opposition so going at Serbia at the +8 line at $1.89* might be a good option because don’t expect a blow out.

Since that loss to Nigeria, though, Australia has been terrific and it’s Whitcomb who has been the standout with 14.7 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Talbot hasn’t been far behind delivering 7.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

Captain Madgen came up huge against France too with 18 points on 4/6 three-point shooting while Ezi Magbegor has averaged 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds, and will likely need top those numbers for Australia to reach the semi finals.

Given that, Magbegor at over 11.5 points at $1.85* could be a good option along with over 5.5 rebounds at $1.80*.

Whitcomb at both over 12.5 points at $1.80* and over 5.5 assists at $1.85* is hard to see not coming off along with Talbot for over 6.5 rebounds at $1.85*.

On the other side of things, Alanna Smith is averaging just the 9.0 points a game so her to go under 11.5 points at $1.80* looks worthwhile.

Verdict: Australia at the line -8 at $1.87*

*Odds correct as at 9am 7th August 2024.

Market Market



Recent Articles