Who’s going to score the most points for the US in the Olympic Basketball Tournament 2024? The latest odds indicate a close race at the top! The likes of Joel Embiid, KD, and Antman are leading the way at the top Olympic betting sites, so let’s talk about that!
Here is a look at the leading US scorer in the basketball Olympics odds, and I’ll give my analysis for the top picks. My final prediction will be found below, so read on to find out who I’m taking!
Leading US Points Scorer in Paris 2024 Betting Odds
The US top basketball scorer Olympics odds are courtesy of Bovada.
| PLAYER | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | +350 |
| Kevin Durant | +450 |
| Anthony Edwards | +500 |
| Stephen Curry | +600 |
| Devin Booker | +700 |
| Jayson Tatum | +700 |
| LeBron James | +700 |
| Anthony Davis | +2000 |
| Kawhi Leonard | +2500 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | +4000 |
| Jrue Holiday | +8000 |
| Bam Adebayo | +10000 |
Bovada actually tweeted out these odds on June 24, and Anthony Edwards was the favorite. By June 27, Joel Embiid had taken over the top spot, and Edwards had also been overtaken by his idol, Kevin Durant, and now sits in third.
Let’s get into the favorites, where I’ll analyze the top three choices at offshore sportsbooks. I’ll also examine the rest of the team. To be clear, all of these players could lead the team in scoring if that was the plan.
Nine of these players made one of the three All-NBA teams this season, so most candidates have the talent to lead Team US in scoring!
Joel Embiid (+350)
Embiid would have been on one of those All-NBA teams, and in the running to win his second MVP, if not for another injury. The Philadelphia 76ers’ center averaged 34.7 points during the season, but he only played 39 games. He returned for the postseason and averaged 33 points while battling injuries in the 76ers’ first-round loss to the New York Knicks.
I’m really proud and excited about this decision. It was not easy. I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home. After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve… pic.twitter.com/6VHSQTKVl3
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 5, 2023
Embiid, 30, had the chance to represent the host country, France, the US, or Cameroon. At the end, he chose the United States because that’s where his son was born. He’ll likely hear some boos from the crowd, but Embiid loves playing the villain. He’s also a two-time NBA scoring champion and was in line to win a third time if not for his injuries.
Embiid is a strong candidate to lead the US in scoring. However, with so many stars around him and considering his injury record, backing him is risky.
Kevin Durant (+450)
While this will be Embiid’s first Olympics, Durant will play for his fourth Olympic team. Even though “KD” is 35 years old, he was still fantastic this season.
Durant averaged 27.1 points, good for fifth in the NBA. He has now averaged 27.3 points in the regular season throughout a 17-year career. That goes up to 29.3 points for the playoffs. He’s one of the best offensive players of all time, unquestionably.
In each of his three Olympics stints, Durant has led Team USA in scoring. He put up 19.5 points in his 2012 debut as a rookie alongside Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. In 2016, Durant averaged 19.4 points and in 2020, he averaged an Olympic-high 20.7 points.
I believe he can easily do it again, so the current odds seem very generous!
Anthony Edwards (+500)
Edwards was the breakout star of the previous NBA season. He averaged 25.9 points during the regular season for Minnesota, and increased that to 27.6 points in the playoffs.
Edwards is a breath of fresh air in the NBA, as he’s respectful of his peers but also ultra-competitive. He steps on the court with the intent of being the best player on the floor.
While this is his first Olympics, Edwards played in the FIBA World Cup in 2023. The team finished fourth, but Edwards was the leading scorer with 18.9 points and was named to the All-FIBA World Cup team.
However, there will be more veterans this time around which could hurt his chances to lead Team US in scoring at the Olympics.
I believe he can easily do it again, so the current odds seem very generous!
The Rest of the Bunch
This team is loaded, so let’s talk about some of the other names. You could find some Olympic betting value further down the odds at online sportsbooks.
Stephen Curry (+600) is somehow only playing in the Olympics for the first time, after averaging 26.4 points in the past season. Curry’s Golden State coach, Steve Kerr, is also coaching this team. He might ask Kerr to give him a little more time, to make up for past years. We all know Curry can get hot in a hurry.
Devin Booker (+700) scored 27.1 points per game in Phoenix, alongside Durant, and is also an offensive wizard. He’s one of the best midrange players in all of basketball. Jayson Tatum (+700) is coming off an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics, but he’s more of a volume shooter who won’t get as many shots as he needs on this team. You could put Booker in that category as well.
LeBron James (+700) is back for his fourth Olympics, but his first since 2012. He is also nearly 40 years old and could look to play more of a facilitator role on this team. His Los Angeles Lakers teammate, Anthony Davis (+2000) is here more as a defensive presence.
Kawhi Leonard (+2000) has battled injuries for years now. Kerr said that Leonard would join the team in Las Vegas for a training camp in early July. However, he likely won’t play many minutes.
Tyrese Haliburton (+4000) is here to get the experience, while Jrue Holiday (+8000) and Bam Adebayo (+10000) are defensive stoppers, who are unlikely to lead the team in scoring.
US Top Scorer in the Olympics Prediction and Pick
Your true options for leading US scorer in the basketball Olympics odds are Embiid, Durant, Edwards, Curry, and Booker. Curry and Booker are just outside the top three, but they can score efficiently with anyone in the world.
Embiid and Edwards are solid options. It’s tough to imagine any center in the world being able to stop the big man from doing whatever he wants, on the perimeter and in the post. Edwards is an intriguing pick, but I just wonder how much time and shots he’ll get.
I’m going with the known entity in Kevin Durant at +450. He’s still scoring at an elite level in the NBA, and his Olympic record is unmatched. KD is still a seven-footer with one of the sweetest jumpers I’ve ever seen, and the rest of the world will be hard-pressed to trouble him.
More Paris Olympics 2024 Betting Predictions
The Sports Geek has you covered for Olympic betting predictions throughout the entire event, so feel free to check the following posts:
- US Olympic Flag Bearer Odds
- Olympic Medal Table Odds and Predictions
- Olympic Men’s Basketball Odds and Predictions
- Olympic Tennis Men’s Betting Odds and Predictions
- Olympic Tennis Women’s Betting Odds and Predictions
- Olympic Water Polo Men’s Odds and Predictions
- Olympic Men’s Handball Odds and Predictions
- Olympic Women’s Handball Odds and Predictions
