All of Team USA’s fears came true in their Olympic opener on Sunday morning.
Despite the tumultuous month of July, the Americans were still -320 favorites at DraftKings to win gold but lost to France 83-76 to start group play.
It doesn’t eliminate the United States by any means, but it’s a setback for a team that already looked a little sluggish in tuneup games before the Olympics.
The U.S. is back in action on Wednesday against Iran in a must-win game.
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2021 Olympic Men’s Basketball Schedule
Both the men’s and women’s tournaments consist of 12 teams placed in three different groups. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals, as well as the top two third-place finishers.
A draw will then take place following the completion of the group-stage games to determine quarterfinal matchups. The winners of each group and the best second-place team will be placed in one pot and while the two remaining second-place teams and two best third-placed teams are placed in another pot. Teams from the same group cannot play each other in the quarterfinal round.
Saturday, July 24
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic 84, Iran 78 | 9 p.m. | N/A |
Sunday, July 25
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Italy 92, Germany 82 | 12:40 a.m. | N/A |
| Australia 84, Nigeria 67 | 4:20 a.m. | N/A |
| France 83, USA 76 | 8 a.m. | Peacock |
Monday, July 26
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Slovenia 118, Argentina 100 | 12:40 a.m. | CNBC |
| Spain 88, Japan 77 | 8 a.m. | N/A |
Tuesday, July 27
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria vs. Germany | 9 p.m. | N/A |
Wednesday, July 28
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| United States vs. Iran | 12:40 a.m. | Peacock |
| Italy vs. Australia | 4:20 a.m. | N/A |
| Czech Republic vs. France | 8 a.m. | N/A |
Thursday, July 29
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Slovenia vs. Japan | 12:40 a.m. | N/A |
| Spain vs. Argentina | 8 a.m. | NBCSN |
Friday, July 30
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Iran vs. France | 9 p.m. | N/A |
Saturday, July 31
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Italy vs. Nigeria | 12:40 a.m. | N/A |
| Australia vs. Germany | 4:20 a.m. | N/A |
| United States vs. Czech Republic | 8 a.m. | Peacock |
Sunday, August 1
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs. Japan | 12:40 a.m. | N/A |
| Slovenia vs. Spain | 4:20 a.m. | USA |
Tuesday, August 3
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinal 1 | 12:40 a.m. | USA |
| Quarterfinal 2 | 4:20 a.m. | N/A |
Thursday, August 5
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinal 1 | 12:15 a.m. | Peacock |
| Semifinal 2 | 7 a.m. ET | NBCSN |
Friday, August 6
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Medal Game | 10:30 p.m. ET | NBC |
Saturday, August 7
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Medal Game | 7 a.m. | USA |
Group Standings
Teams get two points for a win and one for a loss, according to FIBA’s official website.
Group A
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 2 |
| France | 2 |
| Iran | 1 |
| USA | 1 |
Team USA was -2000 to win the group but is already way behind the eight ball after losing to France in its opener.
Group B
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| Australia | 2 |
| Italy | 2 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Nigeria | 1 |
Australia and Nigeria, the two teams to beat Team USA in July exhibitions, are favored to win Group B with -190 and +450 odds to win Group B, respectively.
Group C
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| Slovenia | 2 |
| Spain | 2 |
| Argentina | 1 |
| Japan | 1 |
2016 bronze medalist, Spain, has -125 odds to win Group C, followed by Slovenia at +160.
Odds to Win Gold Medal
Pre-tournament odds via DraftKings
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| United States | -320 |
| Australia | +750 |
| Spain | +900 |
| Slovenia | +1500 |
| France | +1600 |
| Nigeria | +3000 |
| Argentina | +3500 |
| Italy | +4000 |
| Czech Republic | +10000 |
| Germany | +15000 |
| Japan | +30000 |
| Iran | +50000 |
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Team USA Roster
- Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
- Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
- Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)
- Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons)
- Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
- Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
- Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls)*
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
- JaVale McGee (Denver Nuggets)
- Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Coaches: Greg Popovich (head coach), Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce, Jay Wright
*LaVine entered health and safety protocol and did not travel with the team to Tokyo on Monday, but Team USA hopes to have the Bulls guard re-join before the first game.