The United States trailed South Sudan with 20 seconds remaining on July 20 as a frantic comeback with less than two minutes left the 43.5-point favorite on the brink of a stunning upset loss.

The point spread for Wednesday’s showdown between the teams at the 2024 Paris Olympics is tighter, but the US is still a massive favorite on odds boards.

In the exhibition game in London, LeBron James rescued the result with a forceful layup, and the USBMNT survived a good look to hang on for a 101-100 win. 

Thanks to that exhibition, there will be no overlooking a national side that is barely a decade old and making its first Olympic appearance. South Sudan debuted with a win in the Olympic tournament, defeating Puerto Rico 90-79 behind a big second half.

In its Olympics opener, the U.S. rolled past Nikola Jokic-led Serbia, thanks to a dominant final 20 minutes, too, riding James’ 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists to a 110-84 triumph. Kevin Durant, playing his first game in months due to a calf injury, shot 8-for-9 and led the way with 23 points off the bench.

In the Olympic preliminary round, teams receive a point for participating and play for an additional point, so the winner here will top Group C. This showdown closes out Wednesday’s slate (3 p.m ET, NBC) at Lille’s Pierre Mauroy Stadium, where Canada was first to get through its first two matches unscathed. 

Also check: Best sports betting promos | Top sportsbook sites

USA vs. South Sudan odds: Point spread, moneyline, total for Group C showdown at 2024 Olympics 

Here are odds from BetRivers Sportsbook for the USA vs. South Sudan clash at the Paris Games.

USA betting news and analysis

In the USA’s tournament opener, Serbia scored effectively over the first 20 minutes, but Durant’s brilliance prevented the USBMNT from being stuck in a tight one at the break. The two-time gold medalist and all-time leading scorer in U.S. Olympic men’s basketball history made all seven of his first-half shots, scoring 21 points to help the Americans to a 58-49 halftime edge. 

The defense then clamped down, helping win the second half, 52-35. Six of the 11 players who participated scored in double-figures. Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton didn’t play. Head coach Steve Kerr told Tatum before the game that was a possibility due to matchups and Durant’s return, but the Celtics star will be in the rotation against South Sudan.

Joel Embiid was held to just four points in 11 minutes due to foul trouble and was battling an illness, so he’s expected to be more effective on Wednesday. In the exhibition against South Sudan, Durant finished with 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in just 18 minutes. Anthony Davis led the Americans with 11 rebounds in that game and was tops on the glass in the Olympic opener on Sunday with eight.

Team USA averaged 96.4 through its five exhibitions, surrendering 86.2. Its defensive effort against a nation led by Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, was on par with what it has done thus far, but the 110 points were the most the national team has scored since a 127-118 overtime loss to Canada in the FIBA World Cup third-place game last summer. The USBMNT shot 18-for-32 (56.3 percent) from 3-point range.

South Sudan betting news and analysis

Cincinnati native Carlik Jones, who has played briefly in the NBA with the Mavericks, Nuggets and Bulls, is South Sudan’s driving force. The point guard notched a triple-double against the U.S. and led his team against Puerto Rico with 19 points and six assists while adding seven rebounds. 

Kentucky product and NBA veteran Wenyen Gabriel, now playing overseas, had a team-high nine boards against the Boricuas, while current Charlotte Hornets forward J.T. Thor served as a productive sixth man. Marial Shayok, who lit up the U.S. for 25 points, added 15 points in his Olympic debut and needs a big shooting game if South Sudan is to hang around again.

Head coach Royal Ivey, an assistant with the Rockets, is an up-and-comer in the business. A solid guard in his playing days, he’s picked up experience on staffs of the Thunder, Knicks and Nets over the last decade, and is a tremendous asset for South Sudan. 

South Sudan must lock in defensively, and the U.S. has to aid his team’s cause with an off-shooting game in order to challenge again, but Ivey no longer has to sell his team on the belief they can compete.

Duke-bound 7-foot-1 17-year-old Khaman Maluach is its tallest athlete and should see action. He scored seven points but committed five fouls in 12 minutes against the U.S.

DraftKings’ USA vs. South Sudan prop bets & picks

Here is a sampling of USA vs. South Sudan prop bets from DraftKings.

• USA team total: Over 110.5 -115, Under 110.5 -115
• South Sudan team total: Over 80.5 -115 Under 80.5 -115
• LeBron James points + rebounds + assists: Over 27.5 -120, Under 27.5 -110
• Stephen Curry points + rebounds + assists: Over 19.5 +105, Under 19.5 -135
• Jrue Holiday points + rebounds + assists: Over 16.5 -115, Under 16.5 -115
• Carlik Jones points + rebounds + assists: Over 30.5 -115, Under 30.5 -115

Jones played a team-high 37 minutes for Ivey against Puerto Rico and shot 21 times in 32 minutes in the exhibition against the U.S. Expect top defenders like Holiday and Derrick White to look to keep him from finding a flow. Backing the OVER on the points total of Shayok (14.5 -115) and Devin Booker (8.5 -120) is advisable. 

USA vs. South Sudan prediction: No close call here

Since the U.S. struggled with South Sudan the first time around, the point spread has been trimmed by 14 points. But the Americans know they can’t just show up and win. Given the competition for minutes and how well the team shot the ball in Lille against Serbia, look for Team USA to roll in dominant fashion. South Sudan’s worst-ever loss came in last year’s World Cup against the Serbians by a 115-83 count. Look for the U.S. to top that margin of victory.