USA vs Australia Exhibition Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 7/16/21

Team USA and Australia meet Friday night in a mens basketball International Friendly exhibition match in Michelob Ultra Arena.  

Team USA finally won an exhibition game with a 28-point victory over Argentina. In the victory, USA shot 51.4 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three. Kevin Durant led the Americans with 17 points and six rebounds while Bradley Beal had 17 points and three assists. Zach LaVine was the third double-digit scorer and Damian Lillard dished four assists. Defensively, the US allowed 38.4 percent shooting from the field and 31 percent shooting from deep. A much better effort from the Americans overall, but we can’t ignore the first two exhibition games just off one performance. We also have to factor in some nagging injuries for Team USA, the fact three key rotation players still aren’t here and now Beal has entered health and safety protocols. The US should still be a comfortable favorite to win gold, but there’s questions hanging around this club and things get weirder by the day. 

Australia is coming off a 39-point win over Nigeria and is 3-0 in these exhibition games. In the victory, the Aussies shot 63.2 percent from the field and 62.1 percent from three. Chris Goulding led Australia with 21 points and four assists while Duop Reach had 17 points and three rebounds. Nathan Sobey was the third double-digit scorer and Jock Landale grabbed five rebounds. Defensively, Australia allowed 34.3 percent shooting from the field and 25.8 percent shooting from deep. The fact the Australians were so dominant against a hot Nigeria team despite not playing Joe Ingles, Patty Mills or Matthew Dellavedova should tell you a lot about this club. Australia is deep, balanced and a confident club that’s now won five straight games dating back to qualifying for the Asia Cup.

Australia already beat the US in an exhibition game a couple of days ago as 17-point underdogs and has won the last two meetings when you factor in a 2019 friendly. Yes, the US in the more talented team and the line probably should be what it is, but Australia has legit NBA guys, has chemistry and has far more to play for as they hope to build the confidence they can medal. US is already without three key rotation guys and just lost Beal for who knows how long. The Americans aren’t this unbeatable force in its current form.

Give me the Aussies and the free points.