Chris Pike’s Opals Olympics Preview: Game 3

Posted on August 4, 2024August 5, 2024 | Posted by TABtouch

Game 3 v France (3am WST Monday 5th August)

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign for the Australian Opals now could very well rest on needing to beat the host nation France who have so far been mighty impressive in their first two outings.

The group stage of the basketball in Paris will conclude on Sunday night and it’s the Opals coming up against France with the Australian team in a must-win situation after splitting their first two games of the tournament.

Considering the talent and experience in the Opals line-up, there was understandably high expectations of what they would be capable of in Paris, but the first up showing against Nigeria proved disastrous.

Nigeria came into the Olympics as the 12th ranked nation in the world but they beat the Opals 75-62 with Australia finishing the game with a monstrous 26 turnovers and only shooting 39 per cent from the field and a horrible 8/18 at the foul line.

There were clearly adjustments that needed to be made ahead of the second game against Canada and credit to coach Sandy Brondello, her staff and the playing group for hitting back for the tournament saving 70-65 victory.

Adjustments were made with the ball in the hands of former Perth Lynx WNBL captain, and current WNBA guard Sami Whitcomb. She delivered with 19 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.

There were also changes in the personnel with Kristy Wallace not getting on the court at all with the Opals outscored by 13 points when she was on the floor against Nigeria.

Ezi Magbegor saw her role significantly reduced too and she played less than 16 minutes while Cayla George played nearly 20 minutes for 11 points and three rebounds. Marianna Tolo also delivered 11 points and three boards.

The experience of Steph Talbot was also called upon more for Australia and she played 34 minutes for 11 points and nine rebounds.

It wasn’t all positives, though, and the Opals still had another 20 turnovers for the game.

Now the challenge is a significant one to close the group phase up against France who so far have been outstanding on home soil beating Canada 75-54 and then Nigeria 75-64.

The challenge ahead of the Opals is that they must beat France and hand them their first defeat at Paris 2024 to be guaranteed of moving through to the quarter finals.

With a loss, Australia will need a lot to go their way to advance and a lot of it will depend on what happens in the Nigeria clash with Canada.

The odds aren’t kind for the Opals coming into the game with their tournament on the line, they are worth a risk at $2.80* to win.

With the Opals looking to go with Tolo and George a lot more, and Magbegor less, getting on Magbegor to score under 10.5 points at $1.85* looks reasonable.

Whitcomb is going to key to Australia’s chances and for an Opals victory, she will likely need to clear over 12.5 points at $1.85* and over 4.5 assists at $1.80*.

All in all, the equation is simple for the Opals and beat France and they will get to continue their Olympics campaign in Paris.

Verdict: Australia to win at $2.80*

*Odds correct as at 12pm 4th August 2024.