Canada and Spain link up in Group A Olympic action on Friday morning. Canada has won both games thus far and is one win away from clinching the group. On Tuesday, they beat Australia 93-83. Meantime, Spain split their two games. On July 30, Spain beat Greece 84-77. 

Tipoff is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. ET in Lille, France. Canada is a 10-point favorite in the latest Canada vs. Spain odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 168.5. Before you make any Spain vs. Canada picks or 2024 Paris Olympics basketball predictions, you need to see what SportsLine writer Bruce Marshall has to say. 

An in-demand guest on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country, Marshall, who was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports betting newsletter, vast array of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won various handicapping titles and also is working on several book projects. Marshall finished the 2023-24 season on a 197-143 roll on NBA picks (+3578) and 54-37 on college basketball picks (+1340). Anybody following his basketball picks has seen HUGE returns! 

Marshall knows Canada guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an exceptional ball handler and shot creator for this group. Gilgeous-Alexander has great instincts and knows how to pick his spots. In his previous outing, the 26-year-old finished with 16 points, three assists, and three steals.

Marshall also knows Spain forward Santi Aldama has been his team's top player. Aldama is effective from multiple spots with the ability to excel in the frontcourt as a scorer and rebounder. He's tallied 19-plus points in both games thus far. In the win over Greece, Aldama finished with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. 

Marshall has analyzed this Canada vs. Spain matchup and he's leaning Over the total. He also has discovered a crucial X-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back! 

So who wins Canada vs. Spain on Friday? And what x-factor makes one side a must-back? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Canada vs. Spain picks, all from the betting expert who returned nearly $3,600 on his NBA picks in 2023-24!