Will Kevin Durant & Damian Lillard Play? Team USA vs Team France Tokyo Olympics Basketball 2020: Prediction, Injuries, and Lineups

After one of the most surprising NBA seasons, it is now the time for Olympics basketball. As always, Team USA is the favorite to win Gold at the Summer Games and in case they do, it will be their fourth straight #1 finish. But there’s a massive roadblock in Team France waiting eagerly to upset Kevin Durant’s men.

Back in 2019, the same French side had eliminated the American team in the quarters of the FIBA WC. Now, with the scars still fresh, it is time for the US squad to avenge that bitter loss. So how well equipped are both the teams to make for a great show?

Team USA vs Team France: Injury updates and lineup prediction

Team USA had already lost Bradley Beal to health and safety protocols. Then, they saw Cavs’ Kevin Love (calf injury) pulling out of the series, losing his chance to win his second medal for the national side. However, JaVale McGee and Keldon Johnson immediately joined the roster to fill for the vacancy. As a good news, though, Zach LaVine has cleared the protocols and is going to play.

Potential starting lineup – Kevin Durant (F), Jayson Tatum (F), Bam Adebayo (C), Damian Lillard (G), and Devin Booker (G)

Team France fortunately has a 12-men roster, all healthy and ready for the Tokyo games 2020. 

Probable starting five – Evan Fournier (F), Nicolas Batum (F), Rudy Gobert (C), Frank Ntilikina (G), and Nando De Colo (G)

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Who wins? 

Although Team USA is filled with All-Star talent and looks invincible on paper, they have their issues. Three players in Khris Middleton, Devin Booker, and Jrue Holiday are coming from the NBA Finals with close to no rest. Plus, they have several players re[resenting America for the first time and that’s a huge pressure. All-in-all, striking chemistry between them will be coach Greg Popovich’s greatest concern.

Team French, on the other hand, has five NBA players on the squad, hence making it a juicy tie. Also, just like the USA, their exhibition games also saw multiple losses and hence the confidence coming into the opener won’t be as high. A lot will depend on the trio of Rudy, Nic, and Evan if they are to pull an upset.

Considering Team USA is 53-3 in the Olympics (6-0 against France), it is obvious to predict a win for them unless Team French pulls off something extraterrestrial. 

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