Nigeria vs Germany
July 27, 2021 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Nigeria -4.5
(Get latest betting odds)
Nigeria and Germany meet Tuesday night in the 2020 Olympics in a basketball meeting at the Saitama Super Arena. Nigeria is coming off a 17-point loss in its Olympic opener to Australia. Germany also lost its opener by 10 points to Italy.
Nigeria headed into halftime down only three points to the Aussies but completely fell apart in the second half. In the losing effort, Nigeria shot 39.3 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three. Obi Emegano led Nigeria with 12 points and two assists while Josh Okogie had 11 points and two rebounds. Precious Achiuwa was the third double-digit scorer and Jordan Nwora grabbed three rebounds. Defensively, Nigeria allowed 39.4 percent shooting from the field and 45.8 percent shooting from three. Nigeria was solid defensively and was in the game until the fourth quarter. There’s positives to take away from Nigeria, but now the country is in must-win mode on a stage it’s not used to performing.
Germany had a 10-point lead after the first quarter but fell apart in the second and fourth quarters to the Italians. In the losing effort, Germany shot 46.9 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from three. Maodo Lo led Germany with 24 points and four assists while Isaac Bonga had 13 points and three rebounds. Andreas Obst was the third double-digit scorer and Moritz Wagner grabbed four rebounds. Defensively, Germany allowed 50 percent shooting from the field and 48.4 percent shooting from three. Germany has to feel like it let a game get away after starting so strong and shooting so well from the field. The Germans should still be a confident group after winning seven of their last eight games overall.
Germany has won both meetings against Nigeria, but the last meeting came in the 2013 Stankovic Continental Cup. The other match came in the 2006 World Cup.
I get the love with Nigeria based on what it did in the exhibition games, but this line is a bit confusing. Germany entered the Olympics with a lot of momentum and probably should have beaten Italy if we’re being honest. If the Germans have similar success offensively in this game, this should be an outright victory. This isn’t a spot I’m thrilled about laying chalk with Nigeria.
Give me Germany and the points.
