The pick — SGP: Serbia +15.5, Nikola Jokic 8+ rebounds, LeBron James 12+ points (+120, DraftKings)
Rain dotted the River Seine during Friday’s Opening Ceremony in a very unique cavalcade of the world’s finest athletes. In total, 85 boats carrying representatives from 105 delegations traversed the docile waters en route to one of the most iconic structures known to mankind — the Eiffel Tower.
Along the way, Lady Gaga, Louis Vuitton, runway models and many beheaded Marie Antoinettes helped usher the Olympians to their final destination. At the terminus, the event’s parkour-adept Assassin's Creed character delivered the Games’ ceremonial flag. Celine Dion belted soaring notes from a stage perched high up the illuminated “Iron Lady.” And French athletic legends lit the breathtaking, hot-air-balloon-inspired cauldron and watched it ascend in the night sky.
The Paris Olympics are officially underway. And, naturally, there are about a billion events to wager on.
Sticking to a sport this imbecile knows — not Breaking, Evans?! — here’s how I’m playing the action in Team USA’s first basketball test against Serbia.
Serbia +15.5. In their five warm-up contests, the Serbians finished a respectable 3-2. Though the Americans barely skirted by South Sudan and Germany, Steve Kerr’s patriots walloped Serbia 105-79 in their exhibition meetup. A strong second-half defensive effort spearheaded by Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo combined with Team USA’s luxurious depth vaulted the Americans to a sweat-free victory. Still, the Serbs — with four NBA standouts highlighted by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic — should be more competitive in the rematch. The Red, White and Blue start off on the right foot, but The Joker and company stay competitive.
Nikola Jokic 8+ rebounds. Achieving this alt line is light work for Jokic. He grabbed at least eight boards in each of Serbia’s five tuneups. Whistles are always a wild card in international play, but if the referees aren't blowing a heavy one, he should easily play enough minutes to cross the needed threshold. It’s a different styled game, but against similar talent, Jokic averaged 12.4 rebounds last season with the Nuggets.
LeBron James 12+ points. Age ain’t nothing but a number. Nearing the big four-oh, LeBron is still one of the most dominant downhill scorers in the known universe. USA's Opening Ceremony flag bearer should charge the hoop unfazed. In the exhibition rout against Serbia, he totaled 11 points in only 21 minutes, shooting 5-for-7 from the field. If LeBron attacks the rim aggressively off the bounce, converts high-percentage shots near the rim and drains a few freebies, he will eclipse a dozen points.