Chris Pike’s Opals Olympics Preview: Game 1

Posted on July 29, 2024July 29, 2024 | Posted by TABtouch

Game 1 v Nigeria (5pm WST Monday 29th July)

Much of the Olympic basketball focus for Paris 2024 might have surrounded the Australian Boomers, but the Opals are genuine medal contenders too and they start their campaign on Monday evening against Nigeria.

After the Boomers opened their campaign in impressive fashion on Saturday beating world No. 2 Spain, the Opals begin their quest for another Olympics medal on Monday evening in Paris against Nigeria.

The Opals do go into the Olympic Games ranked No. 3 in the world but not having won a medal since bronze at London 2012. That was a fifth consecutive medal at the Games for Australia’s women, but the going has been tougher since at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 without a medal.

However, this Opals team for Paris 2024 does look capable of being back in the medal hunt with the squad including current WNBA players Sami Whitcomb, Kristy Wallace, Steph Talbot, Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne.

The best news out of that is that they have all been playing regularly with the WNBA only taking a break for the Olympics, but at its mid-point.

Topping off the squad is the legendary Lauren Jackson who is going to a fifth Olympic Games at 43 years of age along with captain Tess Madgen, 2023 WNBA champion Cayla George along with Marianna Tolo and Izzy Borlase.

There has been one forced change on the eve of the Games with Perth Lynx WNBL vice-captain Amy Atwell called up to replace the injured Bec Allen.

First up and the Opals should be able to comfortably take care of business against Nigeria who arrived as the 12th ranked team in the world as they come into a third Olympics appearance having previously played at Athens 2004 and Tokyo 2020.

Nigeria lost their three games in Tokyo by an average of 17.7 points so it will be important for the Opals to make a statement and build confidence for tougher pool matches against world No. 5 Canada and host nation France.

While Jackson is still a potentially dominant force as shown by her performances back home in the NBL1 East for the Albury-Wodonga Bandits and before that in the WNBL championship with the Southside Flyers, she might not necessarily play big minutes.

Therefore jumping on her to score under 9.5 points at $1.80* wouldn’t be the worst option.

Magbegor will play a big role, though, so getting on her for over 11.5 points at $1.72* is a good option.

Whitcomb will have the ball in her hands a lot taking on a lot of the point guard duties so she is a good option to comfortable cover 3.5 assists at $1.72*.

The Opals will win comfortably, but having come through as the African qualifiers, Nigeria will be plucky opposition so jumping on them at the line of +24.5 at $1.88 might be worth a punt.

Verdict: Australia

*Odds correct as at 9am 29th July 2024.

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