Canada vs Spain Olympic Basketball Preview
Canada plays Spain for the first time since the FIBA World Cup 2023 on August 2 at 11:15 am ET. The Canadians look to finish with a 100% record in their group having won their first two games.
Spain has won and lost one in their group so far and must win to qualify for the quarterfinals. Can they defy the odds or will Canada make it a clean sweep in the group stages?
Canada vs Spain Olympic Basketball Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Canada and Spain last met in September 2023 at the FIBA World Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. After progressing through the first round, both teams were drawn into Group L in the quarterfinals.
Their clash set up a place in the latter stages of the World Cup and a seeding at the Paris Olympics. Canada lost to Brazil and Spain fell to defeat at the hands of Latvia. A victory was imperative for both nations, but Canada won in a thrillingly competitive game, 88-85.
The first quarter finished tied at 21-21, but Spain led the next and Canada entered the fourth trailing by 12. However, a late rally saw them tie the game at 80-80 with just over a minute remaining. They stunned the Spanish and took the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter, with 45 seconds remaining.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred for Canada, scoring eight points in those last 45 seconds to snatch the victory. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard netted 30 overall points along with seven assists. Canada recorded their best finish at the FIBA World Cup when they defeated the USA in the bronze medal game.
Canada’s basketball team began with a victory over Greece. The opener pitted two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece side against a host of his league rivals. The Greek Freak had an electric game, scoring 34 points, but Canada’s strength in depth outshone the eight-time All-Star’s performance. RJ Barrett and SGA scored 23 and 21 points apiece with Shai also notching an impressive seven assists.
They faced a tougher test in their second group game when they stepped onto the court with Australia. The Boomers have several players in the NBA with Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Jock Landale, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum, and Dyson Daniels.
The game was nail-biting with shot-for-shot action in the first half, ending with Australia up by four at 49-45. Canada fought back to lead by two, with the end of the third finishing 72-70 in their favour. They took full advantage of their lead, racing ahead by 11 points in the fourth on their way to a 93-83 victory. That win put them top of the group.
Spain’s basketball team has had a stop-start campaign in the Olympics so far. They opened with a disappointing loss to an albeit strong Australia team on July 27. Santi Aldama’s game-leading 27 points were not enough to see off the Aussies, who won 92-80. Spain led for just 17 seconds over four quarters.
Spain got their first win of the group stages on July 30 when they faced Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece side. They were ahead in the game for three consecutive quarters after finishing the first down at 22-21. Antetokounmpo’s double-double (27 points and 11 rebounds) was not enough to deter Sergio Scariolo’s team. Aldama led Spain’s scoring charts for the second game in a row, securing a double-double of his own (19/12) to help Spain to an 84-77 victory.
Pioneer of 🇪🇸 Spain's next generation 🔥
Santi Aldama was once again the difference maker.#Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/1SD9XlJSK4
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 30, 2024
Canada vs Spain Olympic Basketball Predictions
Correct score prediction: Canada 92-82 Spain
Canada had an excellent start to their Olympic basketball campaign. Their convincing victory over Greece shone a light on how strong a scoring tandem they have in SGA and RJ Barrett. The two were strong in their victory over Australia, who carried much more of a threat than Greece. Our Olympic prediction is for a Canada victory.
Canada has fought and won tougher battles in their opening two fixtures and will make it a clean sweep in victory against Spain. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett’s performances have been excellent at the Olympics so far. SGA’s performances have lived up to expectations set by fans before the Olympic basketball started. RJ Barrett has exceeded them. He has led Canada’s point-scoring charts in each of their first two fixtures with 23 and 24. Barrett’s performance against Australia was the best yet, securing a further seven rebounds and five assists.
The Maple Mamba 🍁
RJ Barrett's sensational #Olympics run continues. 🔥#Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/5QkUbOUwqS
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 30, 2024
The USA is the only team in Olympic basketball that can go toe-to-toe with these scorers. The two Canadians will be the focal point of the offence once again when they face Spain.
Spain has had to rely on Santi Aldama in their opening two fixtures. He finished as their highest scorer in both games, carrying his team to victory over Greece. The Memphis Grizzlies forward set Spain’s record for three-pointers against Australia, netting six from eight attempts. He is undoubtedly their biggest threat. Canada will have a plan for him.
Jordi Fernandez’s team boasts excellent defensive players. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dillon Brooks, and Luguentz Dort will look to defend Aldama. Alexander-Walker may return to the side for this reason. He was excellent defensively in the NBA last year. His performance against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs was a joy to watch and Canada’s defence can smother Spain in Paris.
Team Canada’s basketball roster is arguably the best in their history. It boasts champions and All-Stars throughout. SGA even controversially missed out on becoming the first Canadian MVP in the NBA since Steve Nash last season.
These players have already tasted success together. Eight of the players on the roster won bronze with Canada at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. That was their best-ever finish at the tournament. That chemistry is invaluable to their chances in the Olympics. There is too much talent in this Canadian team compared to Spain, and that will see them through.
Canada vs Spain Olympic Basketball Betting Tips
Canada is the clear favourite for this game. They have been excellent in the group stages, winning both games convincingly. Spain has been poor in the Olympic basketball and now faces the best team in the group.
Australia was Canada’s biggest test so far and they ran out impressive victors. Canada has beaten Spain in their previous two meetings and they can go for three here. Bet on Canada if you are wagering on the moneyline, worth -370.
Olympic basketball odds have Canada as second-favourites to win gold in Paris 2024 following wins in their first two. The performances of SGA and RJ Barrett have seen their stock rise, dazzling fans with Barrett now leading their scoring charts for two straight games.
However, SGA is undoubtedly the star of this team. He averaged over 30 points per game in the NBA last season and can show out against a weak Spanish team. We like a player prop on the Oklahoma man. Take the over on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander up to 23.5.
Calm day at the office for RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 🔥
🇨🇦 RJ: 24 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST
🇨🇦 SGA: 16 PTS (8-10 FGM), 4 REB, 3 STLCanada gets win No. 2 in #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/IRUGsjyCWV
— NBA (@NBA) July 30, 2024
The over/under for this game is 168.5 points at our online sportsbook. Canada and Spain are both one of two for the over at this line in their first two games. However, Spain needs a win here for qualification.
That means we are likely to see a more aggressively offensive performance. Not only will they look to score more frequently, but they can also leave things open for Canada to net at the other end. We are taking the over, worth -115.
If you are unsure about this market, you can look at live betting during the match instead. To further reduce the risk, claim a promotion to help you place a wager. New customers can sign up and use our welcome bonus on this Olympic fixture.
Santi Aldama’s performances for Spain so far cannot be ignored. He has been the best-performing player, and the 23-year-old is unlucky not to have a supporting cast behind him.
Canada will enter with a plan for the seven-footer, but Aldama is good enough to find a way. The Spaniard has led his team’s scoring charts in both of their games and will probably do the same here. As a bookmaker, our odds will look favourably on his points over up to 22.5.
Australia and Greece will round out the fixtures for this group in their clash on the same day. Australia and Canada enter these fixtures as the odds-on favourites. A moneyline bet on either doesn’t represent great value. There is more value in a parlay. A bet on Australia to beat Greece and Canada to win on August 2 is worth +103.
