Team USA begins their title push tonight against Luis Scola and the Argentinians. I can't bet against the US in a playoff game, but the way they've been playing, I can't bet on them, either. They have let me down too many times. Thus, I am making the first player prop pick of the Betting on Rio series: Luis Scola under 17.5 points tonight against the U.S.
Scola hasn't scored above 14 in his last three games, and things won't get easier for him against the Americans. He'll likely match up with Durant and Paul George, and if Argentina goes small, DeAndre Jordan and DeMarcus Cousins.
That's a tough task for any player. If this was 2004, maybe Scola would have a shot. He was a great player for the Rockets, with a crafty old-man's game that allowed him to succeed as an undersized NBA forward. But he's 36 now, and the gas is running low. Look for the U.S. to shut him down tonight in Rio.