The pick — SGP: United States -29.5, LeBron James 20+ PRA, Christopher Ortiz 4+ points (+125, BetMGM)
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Team USA is overdue for a laugher at the Paris Olympics.
So far in Group C action, the basketball Goliath is off to an unblemished 2-0 start. Though never remotely endangered, the Americans were challenged at times by Serbia and South Sudan. In the end, they won comfortably by double-figures. To be fair, they were respectful dismissals.
However, Puerto Rico, a David who possesses no functional slingshot, could suffer a wrath not yet witnessed inside Bercy Arena. The Caribbean commonwealth dropped its first two Olympic contests, losing by 11 to South Sudan and by 41 to Nikola Jokic and Serbia.
With Puerto Rico lacking the size, athleticism and general skills to hang with the all mighty Americans, just how ugly could the action get Saturday? Here’s a rundown of SGP legs in Puerto Rico vs. USA.
USA -29.5 alt spread. Steve Kerr’s decorated bunch crushed Serbia by 26 and staved off South Sudan by 17. Again, when you have Kevin Durant coming off the bench, it proves you're a squad flush with obscene luxuries. They’ve yet to shift in the highest gear, but against the undersized Puerto Ricans, all could have a heyday. Keep in mind, Nelson Colon has only one viable NBA talent on his roster — Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado. This should be the Americans’ most lopsided victory to date.
LeBron James 20+ points, rebounds and assists. Though his bald head patch is expanding and flecks of beard gray are populating, the 39-year-old megastar has lost zero shine on his game. The galloping GOAT produced totals of 37 and 24 in points, rebound and assists in his first two soft-toss challenges against Serbia and South Sudan. In what could be a massacre, James' across-the-board production should pile up in roughly 20-25 minutes. Keep in mind, Puerto Rico has allowed 49.7% shooting from the floor through two games.
Christopher Ortiz 4+ points. In order to reduce the juice to get SEDUCED BY THE JUICE, an unrelated-related option is advisable. Bank on Ortiz to make a pair of buckets. The New York-born Ortiz, who played his college ball at Kent State, is a versatile stretch four at 6-foot-8. In 25 minutes against South Sudan, he only shot 1-for-4 from the floor and finished with three points. However, in the blowout loss against Serbia, he exploded for 19 points in 30 minutes. Equipped with an effective outside jumper and midrange skills, he should smell like a rose in garbage time.
Olympics basketball record: 1-3, -1.70 units