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Sports betting summary: US men’s basketball team keeps winning, but can’t always cover the spread

Sports betting summary: US men’s basketball team keeps winning, but can’t always cover the spread

As the Paris Olympics enter their final week, the U.S. men’s basketball team is racking up wins but not always closing the gap.

The Americans advanced to the finals by beating Puerto Rico 104-83 in the group stage but could not overcome a 36.5-point deficit.

In BetMGM online sports betting, 64% of the money was on Team USA coverage. The team went a perfect 3-0 in pool play, but was 1-2 against the spread.

Team USA will face Brazil in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Trends of the Week

Heading into the quarterfinals, the Americans have -650 odds to win the gold medal, while Canada and Germany have +900 odds. On paper, the USA team has the easiest quarterfinal matchup against Brazil, who have +25000 odds to win the gold medal.

Scottie Scheffler came into the final round four strokes behind to win the gold medal in men’s golf. Scheffler shot a final-round 62, including six birdies on the back nine, to finish at 19-under, one stroke better than Tommy Fleetwood. Hideki Matsuyama finished two strokes behind Scheffler in third place.

Scheffler entered the Olympic tournament with +400 odds to win and take home 30% of the money, by far the highest odds of any player in the field.

Joel Embiid of the USA makes a gesture after scoring a goal in the men's...

Joel Embiid of the United States gestures after scoring a goal during the men’s basketball game against Puerto Rico during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, Saturday, August 3, 2024. Source: AP/Michael Conroy

Sadness of the Week

Julien Alfred sprinted past Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 100-meter dash. Alfred finished in 10.72 seconds, giving him a .15-second lead – the largest margin in the Olympic 100 since the 2008 Beijing Games. Alfred was +450 to win, while Richardson was -345, taking 93% of the money.

Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Fight Night. Nurmagomedov was -350 to win, but Sandhagen received 75% of the bets.

Soon

As college football gets ready to kick off, Georgia is the favorite at +300 in the college football national championship odds. Ohio State follows closely at +325, while Texas (+775) and Oregon (+800) are the next two teams on the odds chart.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at +700, with Georgia quarterback Carson Beck in second place at +750.

Scottie Scheffler from the USA looks at his shot...

Scottie Scheffler of the United States looks at his shot on the 18th green during the final round of men’s golf of the 2024 Summer Olympics at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, Sunday, August 4, 2024. Source: AP/Matt York

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This column was provided to the Associated Press by online sports betting site BetMGM.