Sports

Chris Pike’s Opals Olympic Preview: Semi Finals

Posted on | Posted by TABtouch

Semi Final v USA (11.30pm WST Friday 9th August)

The Australian Opals might face the daunting task of taking on the USA in the semi finals at Paris 2024, but on the back of how impressive they were to get there, it’s not beyond possibilities to think they can cause a monstrous upset.

Rightfully the USA go into the semi-final match up on Friday night in Paris as hot favourites at $1.04* to win to move into Sunday’s gold medal match, but the Opals have been outstanding now after a slow start to the Olympic Games.

The Opals struggled first up against Nigeria losing by 13 points and just advancing out of the first round looked a tall order. However, Australia hit back to beat Canada by five points and then to hand host nation France a first defeat by seven points.

That booked the Opals into a quarter-final with Serbia back on Wednesday night. What they produced was a dominant performance winning by 18 points.

In that win, Alanna Smith was brilliant with 22 points and 13 rebounds with Jade Melbourne delivering 18 points and five assists, Cayla George 18 points and four rebounds, and Sami Whitcomb 15 points and four assists.

That locked in Australia to take on the USA now to battle over the top spot. The Americans have dominated so far in Paris beating Japan, Belgium, Germany and Nigeria by an average of 18 points.

While looking imposing, it’s a USA women’s team that doesn’t quite look invincible and it’s an Opals outfit who will hold no fears taking the challenge up to them.

Helping that cause is the fact that on the Opals team, Jade Melbourne, Kristy Wallace, Steph Talbot, Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor, Marianna Tolo, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson and Sami Whitcomb are all either current or former WNBA players so have great familiarity with the USA players.

A huge credit must go to Opals coach for Sandy Brondello for getting things on track after that first up loss to Nigeria.

She changed a lot after that including keeping the ball in the hands a lot more of Whitcomb as point guard along with backing in captain Tess Madgen and experienced duo George and Talbot to play more significant roles.

She’s also backed in 21-year-old Melbourne and then Smith came up huge in the quarter finals, and the Opals are playing an exciting yet more controlled style of basketball.

It’s still going to be a huge test against the USA who have had A’ja Wilson putting up 20.3 points and 10.0 rebounds a game along with Breanna Stewart with 18.5 points and 5.8 rebounds, and former Perth Lynx WNBL star Jackie Young 10.3 points.

Whitcomb and Young were teammates together at the Lynx so watching them battle on the Olympics stage will be fascinating. Whitcomb looks a good option for over 13.5 points at $1.85* and over 4.5 assists at $1.80*.

Young could also rise to the challenge and is paying $2.00* for over 11.5 points.

While the Opals are up against it as evidenced by paying $9.50* to win, the line of +17 at $1.89* could be a good option because it’s tough to see Australia getting blown out with the way they are playing.

The winner will advance to the gold medal match up against either France or Belgium on Sunday. The loser will play for bronze.

Verdict: USA to win at $1.04* (Australia at the Line +17 Line at $1.89*)

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

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