Olympic Games 2012- Basketball: Great Britain Meet Brazil After Shaky Start

Tip Off: Tuesday 31st July
Live on BBCi 4.45pm

Great Britain’s basketball team will need to improve from their crushing 95-75 defeat at the hands of Russia in their opening Olympics match up if they are to stay in contention and beat Brazil on Tuesday afternoon.

Playing in their first Olympics match since hosting the games in 1848,Great Britain were immediately up against it against classy Russia who are third favourites for the competition behind the USA and Spain.

Team GB will again rely on their star player; Chicaco Bulls’ Luol Deng. The Brixton boy accumulated 26 points against Russia, and will be expected again to be top points scorer against the Brazilians.

Brazil will be full of confidence after beating Australia 75-71 in their opening game on Sunday, and bookies are sure that the South Americans have what it takes to beat Team GB, with Bet365 offering a best price of 13/100 about them securing their second victory.

A loss for Great Britain would be disastrous on Tuesday, as they still face a huge task against Spain and a very close looking match with Australia to come.

After their opening loss against Australia, Luol Deng admitted that GB face an uphill task. “This was the first game, the guys were excited so we’re not out but we’ve got to come together and prepare for the next game,” said Deng. “There’s a lot of things we can do better.”

Whether GB have the ability required to beat Brazil is a big if. The Brazilians are not considered one of the tournament favourites, but going by the first round matches they were by far the more impressive and if Team GB can’t find the improvement required, this could be a very messy game for them.

Bet365 reflect the general public opinion of Great Britain by offering odds of 9/2 about them winning this match. If looking to back the host nation, it may be a better option to back them on the handicap market which gives GB an 11.5 point head start at odds of 10/11 with Bet365.