2020 Olympic Betting Preview: 3-on-3 Basketball
Over the next several weeks, we’ll provide comprehensive betting previews for every major event ahead of the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, which will run from July 23 – August 8. This edition focuses on the 3-on-3 basketball competition, held July 24-28 at Aomi Urban Sports Park.
In 3×3 Olympic basketball, eight nations will face off in half-court games end either in 10 minutes or after one team scores 21. There will be a 12-second shot clock, and each made shot counts for one point or two points if behind the three-line.
For the first time in Olympic history, the U.S Men have failed to make a basketball event as a team filled with ex-college players could not get the job done in qualifying.
Let’s take a look at the eight teams that qualified and see where the value remains.
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Schedule of Events
- July 24-26: Men’s and women’s pool games
- July 27: Men’s and women’s semifinals
- July 28: Men’s and women’s bronze- and gold-medal games
Why Should I Bet On This?
Much like we see with the Big 3 and TBT 3v3 basketball tournaments, the 3v3 backyard-basketball type feel makes for a very bet-able product.
With scoring being capped at 21, a new dynamic to betting the spread and totals comes into play. By focusing on a team or two early on, there should be plenty of value for those looking to do the work.
5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know
This will be the first time 3×3 has ever appeared in the Olympics, as it’s earned its way here as similar international events have gained popularity over the years.
Dusan Bulut, who plays for tournament favorite Serbia, will likely be the best player in this tournament and is widely considered the best 3×3 player in the world.
Latvia won the most recent FIBA 3×3 World Tour in 2021, with Serbia getting runner up.
In 3×3 basketball, DJs play hip-hop music courtside as the sport has made an effort to provide a stylish and attractive brand at basketball which we will see here in Tokyo.
The rules are different here and are critical for betting. All baskets inside the arc are worth one point, and the winner will be declared after 10 minutes or first to 21 points.
The Favorites
Women:
- USA +125
- France +200
Men:
- Serbia +175
- Latvia +220
The Live Underdogs
Women::
- China +500
- Russian Olympic Committee +1100
Men:
- Russian Olympic Committee +650
- Netherlands +650
The Longshots
Women:
- Japan +1400
- Italy +1800
- Romania +2900
- Mongolia +5000
Men:
- China +1400
- Belgium +1400
- Poland +1600
- Japan +2900
Betting Picks
Men: Latvia +220
With just one loss in their qualifying games, an 18-20 loss to Poland at the end of May, Latvia comes into this tournament on a tear. Their best player, swingman Karlis Lasmanis, comes in averaging 7.87 points per game to lead all FIBA 3×3 players worldwide.
Women: USA +125
With all four players on Team USA’s squad current WNBA players, and being coached by Duke Unversity’s Kara Lawson, the women’s team is stacked with talent. More so than other teams, all four players see regular action and get contributions across the board.
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.