Sabrina Ionescu of the United States. Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images

2024 Paris Olympics basketball odds, picks: Women’s preliminary round best bets for Thu. 8/1

Originally posted on Action Network | Last updated Jul 31, 2024 7:30 PM ET

A'ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Team USA are back at it again in group play as the squad will face Belgium in a 3 p.m. ET tip off. Group B and C will be the center of attention for the four games ahead for Thursday, August 1 with Japan vs. Germany setting things off first at 5 a.m. ET.

Among others in action will be Australia vs. Canada (7:30 a.m. ET) and France vs. Nigeria (11:15 a.m. ET) with Team USA finishing off the day in Thursday's finale.

Our experts have their sights set on what America will do against Belgium with a couple of player props in mind for Thursday's best bets. Without further ado, let's hop into what picks they're eyeing for August 1.

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Belgium vs. United States — 3 p.m. ET

Sabrina Ionescu Over 9.5 Points

By Bryan Fonseca

I hit this prop in Game 1 and hated it once Sabrina Ionescu sat for the first quarter.

But she showed her ignitability as the game went on and eventually clipped Japan for 11 points.

She logged 20 minutes and shot 4-for-8 and 3-for-7 from three.

That's pretty much the formula.

A blowout may help the case, but also, Ionescu's shooting off the bench is needed, so we're just gonna run this back against Belgium here. The looks and volume should be there, and ideally, so should the makes.

Pick: Sabrina Ionescu Over 9.5 Points (Bet365)

Belgium vs. United States — 3 p.m. ET

A'ja Wilson Over 21.5 Points

By Joe Dellera

A’ja will continue to lead Team USA in their quest for Gold.

When these teams played in the Olympic Qualifying game, Team USA narrowly defeated Belgium 81-79 but they were without two key players – A’ja and her Aces teammate, Chelsea Grey.

A’ja is the leader of Team USA from a scoring perspective. She just dropped 24 in 26 minutes against Japan in a blowout. Given the qualifying game, this one should be tighter and we could expect more minutes from A’ja.

A’ja is averaging 27.2 points per game this year for the Aces and is in the prime of her career. In what might be the most competitive game the Americans play, expect A’ja to dominate.

I’ll grab her to exceed 21.5 points.

Pick: A’ja Wilson Over 21.5 Points (DraftKings)

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