N/A
Games for both of the Australian national teams highlight the Olympic basketball schedule for Friday in the States.
The women will kick things off with an early morning matchup against China with a lot on the line. The men will close out the action in the late evening or really early Saturday morning depending on how you look at it.
In between, France will have an opportunity to officially sweep Group A in men's action by beating an Iran team that just had the doors blown off by Team USA.
Here's a look at the schedule and where you can catch every game live. The men's game between Australia and Germany will be re-aired on Saturday between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET on the USA network.
Olympic Basketball Schedule
Friday, July 30
Women's: China vs. Australia (-5.5), 8 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Men's: Iran vs. France (-26), 9 p.m. NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Saturday, July 31
Men's: Italy (-7.5) vs. Nigeria, 12:40 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Men's: Australia (-8.5) vs. Germany, 4:20 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Odds vis DraftKings Sportsbook
The action starts with an important Group C game in the women's bracket. China, fresh off a dominant win over Puerto Rico will look to all but secure a quarterfinals spot with a win over the Aussies.
Yueru Li was a force for China against a hapless Puerto Rico frontcourt. She posted 21 points and 12 rebounds while going 9-of-11 from the field. The Chinese owned the glass, out-rebounding their opponent 55-30.
Australia didn't have any problems crashing the glass in its last game, but it couldn't slow down Emma Meesseman on the inside. She dominated with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in a 15-point win for Belgium.
If China wins, it will spell doom for Australia's bid to get in the quarterfinals. It'll be relying on point differential for any hope. If Australia can win as a small favorite, this group becomes really interesting with one game left for each team.
On the men's side, France has all but locked up its group by opening with a win over the United States and scoring a 20-point win over the Czech Republic. Evan Fournier has had the hot hand for the French. He has scored 49 points across two games and led the team in scoring each time out.
The size up front for Les Bleus tends to be an issue for opponents too. They have routinely gone with lineups that include both Rudy Gobert and Vincent Poirier, giving them two true centers who can defend the rim.
Nigeria's Olympic hopes are quickly fading. After scoring a surprise win over the United States in a preparatory friendly, the Tigers have fallen to 0-2 in these games. They followed up an opening loss to Australia with a tough loss to Germany.
Their only path to the quarterfinals now would have to include a dominant win over Italy. That will be tough, considering the Italians are in a dogfight themselves to qualify. They hold a 10-point lead in the scoring differential column over Germany. Both are at 1-1.
Nigeria's bigs are going to be key if it wants to beat Italy. Australian forward Joe Ingles credited their post players with being the difference in picking up a win against the common opponent.
"Our bigs won the rebounds and extra possessions that we probably wouldn't have gotten without them doing that good. A good win, against a good team," Ingles said, per FIBA.
The Boomers may be the best team in action. They'll take on Germany with an opportunity to officially win Group B by sweeping the field.
Patty Mills has been key in the team's success thus far. He's led the team in assists in both games while scoring 25 in the opener to provide Australia with a steady stream of offense.
The point guard battle between Mills and Maodo Lo should be a fun one. Lo has been a revelation for the German team. He paced the German offense with 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting in a shootout against the Italians. He followed it up by dishing out nine assists against Nigeria.
He'll have to put up another huge performance if Germany is to secure a spot in the quarterfinals and stun Australia.
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There are still plenty of questions surrounding Team USA and its pursuit of a gold medal in men's basketball, but it'll get its next opportunity to work things out against the Czech Republic in the final group-stage game.
The Americans stumbled out of the gates with an 83-76 loss to France in their Olympic opener. However, they bounced back with a 120-66 win over Iran, taking off some of the pressure by winning in dominant fashion.
That pressure will come back quickly if they don't once again dominate against a Czech Republic squad that is ranked 12th in the latest FIBA world rankings.
The matchup will represent the United States' final opportunity to get in sync before the quarterfinals begin. The top two teams in each group will move on with the final two spots going to the third-place teams with the best point differential.
Given the United States' lopsided result against Iran, it is likely already in, but this game won't be about winning and losing, it will be about preparation for the knockouts. Here's all the info you need to catch the game.
Olympic Men's Basketball
Who: United States vs. Czech Republic
When: Saturday, July 31 at 8 a.m. ET
Where: Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com and Peacock
TV: NBC
After shooting a middling 10-of-32 from the three-point line against France, the US unleashed a barrage of three-pointers against Iran. Burying their opponent with 19-of-39 shooting from deep as a team.
That movement was led by a 7-of-13 performance from Damian Lillard, who led all scorers with 21 points.
Lillard credited that success to a shift in attitude that came after talking to Draymond Green.
"We spoke about it, and it was simple. I just said 'I should have shot it,' and it won’t happen again," Lillard said in reference to their conversation after the France loss, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. "I'm gonna come correct going forward."
Green's leadership might exceed what he's putting up in the box score right now. He's one of the few players on the roster with previous Olympic experience. He was on the gold medal-winning 2016 squad and is a three-time NBA champion.
Perhaps the most encouraging developments against Iran were signs of life from Khris Middleton and Devin Booker. Both were late arrivals to Tokyo as they went through protocols after the NBA Finals. The duo went 1-of-8 from the field against France.
With a few days to adjust to being in Tokyo and playing with the team, they looked much better. The pair of Finals' foes put up 26 points and went a combined 10-of-15 from the floor against Iran.
A sentiment that seems to be echoed by those within Team USA is the need for their scorers to be more aggressive when it comes to shooting their shot.
"We were a bit too unselfish early on, and it bit us," Kevin Durant said after the Iran win, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. "Tonight, guys came out super aggressive. It may look bad when the shots don't go in, but we still had great intentions ever since we got together."
Whether that shift in thinking equates to beating the teams who are the same level as France remains to be seen. The knockout stage will see them once again take on teams with multiple NBA players and even potentially stars like Luka Doncic and the Slovenians.
For now, they are preparing to face a team in the Czech Republic that lost to France by 20 and is led Jan Vesely and Tomas Satoransky. The United States' sheer firepower should get them through this one.
Prediction: USA 95, Czech Republic 73
The pressure can mount quickly in the new Olympic format. With only three guaranteed games for each team in the tournament, a bad start in group play is insurmountable.
That puts teams like Argentina on the men's side and France on the women's side in precarious positions on Thursday as they look to rebound from disappointing losses to start off the games in Tokyo.
Argentina will attempt to dig itself out of a hole it created in a loss to Luka Doncic and Slovenia. They'll now face a must-win game against a talented Spain team that is looking to win the group.
The United States women's team will also be in action. After host nation Japan pulled off an upset against the French, they'll have to be locked in to ensure they don't suffer the same fate.
Here's a look at the whole schedule for Thursday into early Friday morning. Live broadcast information is included but it's also worth noting that the Spain vs. Argentina game will re-air at 6 p.m. ET on the USA network, while the women's game between the United States and Japan will re-air between 2-6 p.m. ET on Friday.
Olympic Basketball Schedule
Thursday, July 29
Men's: Spain (-8.5) vs. Argentina, NBC Sports Network, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: Belgium (-29) vs. Puerto Rico, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Friday, July 30
Women's: United States (-19) vs. Japan, USA, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: France (-7.5) vs. Nigeria, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
The action starts with a crucial game in Group C on the men's side as Argentina has serious work to do to make it out of the group stage.
In this year's format, the top two teams automatically advance to the quarterfinals. The two best third-place teams will also make the field, but that comes down to point differential, which can get a little wonky.
That means the Argentines are already running out of opportunities to ensure they get out of this stage. Even if they don't win, they will need to make sure their point differential, which is already -18, doesn't swell much more.
Argentina has been a factor in Olympic basketball recently but has seen diminishing returns every four years since it took gold in 2004.
A 41-year-old Luis Scola led the team in scoring 23 points against Slovenia. Facing the likes of Marc Gasol and Willy Hernangomez on the interior against Spain, it will need some of the young players and perimeter threats to dial it up a notch.
Spain looked satisfactory in an 88-77 win over Japan. Rui Hachimura put up 20 points for the host team, but it's still a team that only qualified by virtue of the games being in Tokyo.
On the women's side, the first game between Belgium and Puerto Rico doesn't look particularly close on paper. Belgium earned a strong 85-70 win over Australia in their opener, while Puerto Rico is one of the thinner groups of talent in the field.
But Emma Meesseman is a good reason to tune in. She lit it up against the Aussies with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in her Olympic debut. She should put up big numbers in another win.
The United States will have to be focused to make sure Japan doesn't pull off another upset. The Japanese team might not have any WNBA players, but they play with intensity and will play their whole bench, as they love to apply pressure.
They held the French to 4-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc, so that will be something to watch. Meesseman's big day was only rivaled by the USA's A'ja Wilson in her Olympic debut, as she scored 19 points and 13 rebounds.
The United States turned it over 25 times in the win over Nigeria. Similar negligence could hurt them against a team that likes to run as much as Japan.
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France's next step in their quest for gold in the men's tournament, an encore for Luka Doncic and a key Group A matchup on the women's side highlight Wednesday's Olympic Basketball schedule.
Pool play will continue on Wednesday with the table starting to take shape and the stakes elevating. Some teams are off to a great start and are in the driver's seat of their groups, including the French men's team. Their upset of the United States means they likely just have to beat the Czech Republic to ensure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Doncic has his Slovenia team in a similar position. They line up against host nation Japan in another game with a wide spread.
The women's side figures to offer more competitive basketball on Wednesday. Canada is a big favorite over South Korea, but Spain and Serbia appear to be evenly matched on paper.
Here's a look at the schedule along with important broadcast information and the latest lines.
Olympic Basketball Schedule
Wednesday, July 28
Men's: Czech Republic vs. France (-9.5), 8 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: Canada (-20) vs. South Korea, 9 p.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Thursday, July 29
Men's: Slovenia (-20.5) vs. Japan, 12:40 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: Spain vs. Serbia (-1), 4:20 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
France finds itself on the brink of winning its group and still riding high on the momentum of beating the U.S. However, the veteran squad also knows the bigger prize is still up for grabs.
"I got to lead the team because I know these guys," leading scorer Evan Fournier said, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. "It's a hell of a win. Our country is going to be extremely proud. But it's just one game, to be honest."
It did show the true potential of the French team, though. Fournier played an incredible game against the Americans, putting up 28 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. Rudy Gobert serves as the defensive anchor, giving them a strong inside-out duo.
The scary thing is that France didn't even shoot all that well. It connected on 29.6 percent of its triples as a team.
It will have an opportunity to get dialed in against a Czech Republic squad that beat Iran in a competitive game to open its schedule. It's led by Tomas Satoransky of the Chicago Bulls and Jan Vesely, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, but the two combined for just 17 points in the team's first game.
It will need a much better effort from Satoransky to find success against France. He shot just 2-of-14 from the field.
Luka Doncic put on a historic performance in his Olympic debut. The 48 points he recorded in a win over Argentina is tied for the second-most in a game by any men's player, let alone in a debut.
Now, the 22-year-old will get an opportunity to tee off against a Japanese team that figures to be outmatched after giving up 20 points to Ricky Rubio in just under 22 minutes.
On the women's side, Canada has the opportunity to get back on track against South Korea. It lost a tight game to Serbia to open its tournament bid and now needs a victory to set up a crucial game against Spain with a quarterfinal berth on the line.
Just how desperate Spain will be when that game comes around depends on its matchup with Serbia late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning depending on your time zone. The Serbs showcased a strong defense when it held Canada to 38 percent shooting in the opener.
The winner will all but guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals. The loser is going to have some work to do, especially if it's Spain with a game against Canada on tap.
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The United States will attempt to circle the wagons and get back on track on Day 3 after an eye-opening loss to France to open up their Olympic run.
The American entered the Games as a heavy favorite to take gold for the fourth consecutive Olympics. But their loss to the French showed that won't be as easy this time around.
Things are set to be a bit easier when they tip-off late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning depending on your time zone. They will get a chance to right the ship against an Iran squad that figures to be one of the lesser squads in the tournament.
After that game, one of the teams who have to believe in their opportunity to win gold will be up as Australia takes on Italy. The Boomers are off to a strong start after beating Nigeria 84-67 in their first pool game.
It's still early in the tournament but some teams are facing do-or-die situations. The group game between Nigeria and Germany will likely send someone home after both teams lost their openers. Here's a look a the complete schedule along with pertinent broadcast information and the latest lines.
Day 3 Olympic Basketball Schedule
Tuesday, July 27
Women's: Australia (-7.5) vs. Belgium, 4 a.m. ET
Women's: Puerto Rico (-17.5) vs. China, 8 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Men's: Nigeria (-4.5) vs. Germany, 9 p.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Wednesday, July 28
Men's: United States (-41.5) vs. Iran, 12:40 a.m. ET, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com
Men's: Italy vs. Australia (-8), 4:20 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
United States vs. Iran will re-air on Wednesday afternoon on NBC and in prime time on NBC Sports Network. Italy vs. Australia will re-air on NBC Sports Network at 11:30 p.m. ET.
Odds via FanDuel.
There may be a pair of fairly evenly matched teams but all eyes will be on the United States.
The favorites' loss to France has given the whole event a sense of parity. As more than 40-point favorites against Iran, they aren't likely to be in danger of dropping another game, but they will need to look sharp to get some confidence back.
While France brought a handful of NBA players to the proceedings in Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum, the Iranian team doesn't have any.
The American side knows there is still plenty of hope. Specifically, Damian Lillard, who is playing in his first Olympics, noted the expectations that come with being on Team USA may have created an illusion that they should be blowing teams out.
"I think that's why a lot of people will make it seem like the end of the world, but our job as professionals and this team and representing our country at the Olympics, we've got to do what's necessary, and we still can accomplish what we came here to accomplish," Lillard said, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Going against an Iranian team that should allow them some space to get into a rhythm and figure out lineups that work could be the kind of opportunity they need to prepare for the quarterfinal stage after group play.
Before the Red, White and Blue suit up the first of two important games in Group B will go down. Nigeria and Germany will likely be fighting for their tournament lives after both teams dropped their openers.
The Germans' defense was shredded by Italy who scored 92 points in 40 minutes and shot 50 percent from the floor as a team. Now, they'll see a Nigerian team that boasts eight NBA players.
Group B could find its winner early in the morning in the States. Both Australia and Italy won their openers so the winner of this game will have a decided advantage in winning the group.
The Boomers will be the favorites after their win over Nigeria to open up play. The African nation forced them into 22 turnovers, though, so the execution wasn't quite what they would like to see.
"[We] obviously didn't play as well as we would have liked," Mills said after the game, per Gadiel Notelovitz of Fox Sports. "[But] what we're trying to do here is team effort and everyone playing their part, and that's what we did today."
Despite the sloppiness, the Aussies still won comfortably led by Patty Mills' 25 points and six assists.
Italy, meanwhile, got a balanced performance from its key contributors. They had five players in double-digits and shot 15-of-31 from beyond the three-point line in a 10-point win over Germany. If they shoot like that again, Australia could be in trouble.
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The United States men's basketball team will get a much-needed opportunity to jell when they play Iran in their second game in the 2021 Olympics.
Team USA got off to the worst start imaginable, stumbling down the stretch and losing to a France team that will now be the favorite to win Group A. But the team of NBA players didn't go to Tokyo to win their group, they went to win gold.
That's still in play. They will be big favorites against Iran and in the following game against the Czech Republic.
While this game isn't likely to be competitive, it will still provide an important opportunity for the Olympic team to figure some things out and get on the same page before the competition once again ramps up.
Let's take a look at the particulars of the broadcast and how to watch before diving into the matchup.
Olympic Men's Basketball
Who: United States vs. Iran
When: Wednesday, July 28 at 12:40 a.m. ET
Where: Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com and Peacock
TV: Re-air on NBC Wednesday afternoon; re-air on NBC Sports Network in primetime
Preview and Predictions
Simply put, Iran isn't France.
When it comes to FIBA Asia competitions, Iran is among the top teams. The country has won multiple championships in its FIBA zone and qualified for the Olympics, but it hasn't won a game in the Olympics since 1948.
The roster doesn't feature one NBA player and finished 23rd in the 2019 World Cup.
The one area that could be interesting to watch is that Iran does have some size in the frontcourt. The United States struggled when France went with their jumbo lineup featuring Rudy Gobert and Vincent Poirier.
The Iranian's do have a former NBA center in 7'2" Hamed Haddadi. The big man posted 15 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to the Czech Republic. He's obviously not Gobert, who is an elite interior defender, but he's a weapon that Iran will surely use.
For the Americans, this game isn't just about winning, it's about settling in. Star point guard Damian Lillard expressed the team's need to let the game come to them more.
"We all just, I think, just trying too hard…instead of just being who we are—the best players in the NBA," Lillard said, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. "Shots just didn't fall. We had opportunities down the stretch, just didn't make them."
Vardon also noted their could be some discontent from the players on the American team:
"The players are frustrated, too, grumbling on their way back to the locker room about 'running the San Antonio offense' when apparently they feel like there are better ideas."
Popovich has had to build on the fly. A few players who were coming in from the NBA Finals didn't arrive in Tokyo until the middle of the night before playing in the morning.
One of those players, Jrue Holiday, ended up being a top performer for the Red, White and Blue. He led the team in scoring with 18 points and snagged seven rebounds.
The Spurs head coach is certainly one of the best minds in the game. However, the Olympic team has struggled under his watch. They lost two of the three friendlies they played in preparation for Tokyo and have now lost their opener to France.
They shot just 36.2 percent from the field in the loss. The players could very well have a point when it comes to the offensive concepts they are running. After all, this is a team with Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Zach LaVine, Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker.
Popovich might be wise to try some things against an outmanned Iran squad as the United States is running out of time for a gold medal run to materialize.
Prediction: Team USA 87, Iran 52
The women's teams will take center stage on Day 3 of the Olympic Basketball tournament at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo.
Some heavy favorites will be in action including the United States, which will have its first matchup of the Games against Nigeria.
The United States women's team has captured six consecutive Olympic gold medals and figures to be the favorite for a seventh in Japan. It is -1100 (bet $1100 to win $100) to win the tournament at DraftKings Sportsbook.
But the U.S. men's shock loss to France shows that international competition isn't always easy to predict. Australia has the next best odds (+1500) and will also be in action on Tuesday. It's also worth noting it is coming off a win over Team USA in a preparation exhibition.
Here's a look at the complete schedule for the day and a preview of the key matchups.
Day 3 Olympic Basketball Schedule
Monday, July 26
Men's: Japan vs. Spain (-18), 8 a.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: Japan vs. France (-9), 9 p.m. ET, NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: USA (-30) vs. Nigeria, 12:40 a.m. ET, USA, NBCOlympics.com
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
The first look at the United States women's team headlines the day. It gets the opportunity to ease into pool play with the Nigerian team on tap. Nigeria already carries a No. 17 FIBA ranking, but it wasn't helped when a pair of WNBA players were denied the opportunity to play.
Nneka Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams both previously played for Team USA. However, when they didn't make the Olympic roster for the Stars and Stripes, they attempted to petition to play for Nigeria.
Their appeal was denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, leaving the Nigerian team short of two potential stars for their squad.
The American team is again loaded with talent and familiar faces. Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are gunning for their fifth Olympic gold medal. They made their debuts at the Games in 2004 when they were teammates with current U.S. head coach Dawn Staley.
The coach is happy with the leadership she is seeing from the veterans, noting Taurasi specifically:
"She just raises the level of our practice, our ability to make great basketball decisions—passing, shooting the basketball, just her whole morale," Staley said, per Mechelle Voepel of ESPN. "She is high energy and just takes our practice to another level."
After the United States men's loss to France in pool play, Spain has to feel good about its chances of making a run at gold. That spells bad news for the Japanese team.
Spain figures to be among the elite teams in this tournament. With Marc and Paul Gasol, Juancho and Willy Hernangomez and a host of other former and current NBA talents such as Ricky Rubio, they have one of the deepest talent pools to work with.
Japan, meanwhile, went 0-5 in the FIBA Asia tournament that saw Iran earn a berth with a 2-3 record. It will lean heavily on Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura.
The host nation's women's side has a much better chance in its opening game against the French. France carries a No. 5 ranking from FIBA, but Japan isn't that far behind at No. 10.
The team did pick up a prep win against Belgium and plays with intensity and energy. That should only be compounded by the fact that it is the home team and winning this game will determine whether it even has a shot to get out of the group phase.
It's in a difficult group, with Team USA virtually guaranteed a quarterfinals spot and France coming in as the favorite to get the second.
But if the three-pointers start going in and Japan can force some early turnovers, things could get interesting.
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The men's and women's Olympic basketball tournaments continue early Monday morning with pool-play action from Saitama Super Arena.
With roughly half of the teams kicking off Sunday, we will see the rest of the teams in action in Tokyo a day later. The Olympic debut of Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic for Slovenia headlines the action. Doncic will lead his team against Argentina, a strong presence on the international scene in recent years.
The United States will have the day off, but there's a slate of four games, including the inaugural game for host nation Japan in both brackets. Men's Group C favorite Spain will be the formidable foe for the host, while the women will meet France.
Here's a look at the schedule and pertinent broadcast info, as well as a look at some of the major storylines to watch.
Day 2 Olympic Basketball Schedule—Monday, July 26
Men's: Argentina vs. Slovenia (-5.5), 12:40 a.m. ET CNBC, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: Serbia (-2.5) vs. Canada, 4:20 a.m. ET NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Men's: Japan vs. Spain (-19.5), 8 a.m. ET NBC Sports App, NBCOlympics.com
Women's: Japan vs. France (-9), 9 p.m. ET
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Doncic's debut will be the game to watch on the men's side. Not only is it Slovenia's star player's first foray into the Olympics, but it's also the first time the country has qualified for the Games since seceding from Yugoslavia in the early '90s.
As one might expect, Doncic had a lot to do with that qualification. He averaged 21.3 points, 11.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds in the qualifying tournament and consistently set up a squad that shot the ball well from the three-point line.
Their first game will carry big implications in Group C. Spain is the favorite to win, but the other spot in the group of four will be up for grabs, with Slovenia and Argentina battling it out against Japan.
Argentina is the most recent nation outside of the United States to win the gold medal, taking the honors in 2004. This team obviously looks quite a bit different from that one, but it still could be a threat. Argentina is light on NBA talent but carries a No. 4 FIBA world ranking and is led by Luis Scola and the Denver Nuggets' Facundo Campazzo.
Japan will take on a deep and talented Spain team that features both Marc and Pau Gasol, Juancho and Willy Hernangomez, as well as Ricky Rubio and several former NBA talents.
Spain won the 2019 FIBA World Cup, a tournament in which the U.S. didn't even medal.
Japan, which is in the tournament by virtue of being the host nation, will have a tall task competing with Spain. It went 0-5 in the FIBA World Cup, through which Iran earned its berth in Tokyo. The host is led by Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, who was chosen as a flag-bearer for Japan.
In women's action, Serbia and Canada will meet in pool play. Serbia does not have much WNBA talent on the roster, but it's a dedicated national team that has spent more time together as a result.
Canada will be led by a trio of WNBA players in Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton and Natalie Achonwa, and its roster boasts plenty of Olympic experience. But those experiences have often led to disappointment, as Canada's best finish remains fourth in the 1984 Games.
Late Monday night, Japan's women will host France. The latter have been a consistent factor in the medal picture on the international stage of late, earning a silver in the 2012 Olympics and coming up just short of the podium with a fourth-place finish in Rio in 2016.
Japan has an up-tempo style and will be sure to play with a lot of energy in the role of home team, so it wouldn't be shocking to see an upset in its first game.
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USA Basketball will seek a fourth consecutive gold medal at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. The Americans have succeeded in winning the tournament in every Olympics since 2004, when they were relegated to bronze under the watch of Larry Brown.
This year, the team will be under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich after Mike Krzyzewski guided the teams in the last three Olympics.
The 2021 roster looks quite a bit different than the team that competed five years ago. Kevin Durant will once again lead the charge, but there are several first-time Olympians who will play important roles. That list includes Damian Lillard, Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo.
While it's an unfamiliar cast on the international stage, it will offer players like Lillard, who has been on fire with the team, the chance to shine.
The pressure to win will be real in Tokyo. Since NBA players starting representing the country, Team USA is 53-3 in the Olympics. The 2004 team was the only one to lose a game.
After a bumpy exhibition warm-up run, the stakes will be high. Here's a look at the complete roster.
Team USA Basketball Roster
The basketball tournament will start with pool play, with the 12 nations placed in groups of four. The first three games on the schedule for Team USA will be against fellow groupmates, France, Iran and Czech Republic.
From there, the top two teams in each group will advance to tournament play. Here's what the schedule looks like, including the group play matchups.
Team USA Schedule
Sunday, July 25
France vs. USA, 8 a.m. ET
Wednesday, July 28
Iran vs. USA, 12:40 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 31
USA vs. Czech Republic, 8 a.m. ET
Tuesday, August 3
Men's Quarterfinals
Thursday, August 5
Men's Semifinals
Friday, August 6
Men's Gold Medal Game, 10:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, August 7
Men's Bronze Medal Game, 7 a.m. ET
Gold Medal Odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Team USA comes into the tournament as the odds-on favorite to take home gold, but that's far from a guarantee. This team has already shown some cause for concern after it lost back-to-back exhibitions to Nigeria and Australia.
Losing to the team from Down Under is especially concerning as the Australians are among the underdogs with the shortest odds to pull off the upset.
The biggest hurdle standing in the way of Team USA as it prepares for a busy schedule is getting on the same page. Three of the 12 players (Devin Booker, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday) are fresh off the NBA Finals.
Popovich has been open about his uncertainty regarding the introduction of the trio in Tokyo.
"I have no idea [how to use them]. I'm not trying to be glib. I'm trying to be transparent," Popovich said, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. "Maybe they'll be OK for the game [Sunday] and it'll hit them two days later. Maybe we should play them in the first half and see what they're like. Maybe they'll have to play."
They will be tested right away by a France team that isn't short on NBA talent. The French will feature Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum. They beat Team USA as recently as 2019, so it's far from a guaranteed win in the opener.
The Australia team that beat Team USA in exhibition play won't be going away, either. It is the most talented team in Group B and has plenty of NBA talent in its own right. Joe Ingles, Aron Baynes, Dante Exum and Patty Mills will lead the Boomers.
Looking at the tournament as a whole and forecasting a winner, it's difficult to pick against Team USA. Early struggles aside, it did rebound to beat Argentina by 28 going into the tournament.
Even if it was to drop a game to France early on, there would still be two games to come together against Iran and Czech Republic. Both should offer opportunities for a tuneup before another important game is played.
It might not be easy, but Team USA is the favorite to win for a reason.
Prediction: Team USA wins gold.
