Germany seeks its first medal in men's basketball when it takes on Serbia at Accor Arena on Saturday in the bronze-medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Germans, whose best previous finish was seventh place in the 1992 Barcelona Games, are coming off a 73-69 loss to France in the semifinals. Serbia, which won silver in 2016, is hoping for its second medal since restoring its independence in 2006 after suffering a 95-91 loss to the United States in the semis. 

Tipoff is scheduled for 5 a.m. ET. The Serbs are 2.5-point favorites in the latest Serbia vs. Germany odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 170.5. Before you make any Germany vs. Serbia picks or 2024 Paris Olympics basketball predictions, you need to see what SportsLine writer Matt Severance has to say. 

Severance is a well-connected writer and high-volume handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005. He went 231-161 for a profit of $1,237 on his NBA picks last season and has returned $4,452 over the past three NBA campaigns. And over the past four college basketball seasons, Severance is up $887. Anybody following his basketball picks has seen HUGE returns! 

Severance knows Serbia is hoping to bounce back quickly from a loss to the U.S. in which it led by as many as 17 points. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has posted four double-doubles in the Paris Games and is averaging 18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and eight assists for the Serbs. Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic also has had an impressive Olympics, matching Jokic for the team lead with an 18.8-point average after scoring 20 in the semifinal loss to the Americans.

The expert also is aware that Germany is led offensively by NBA players Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic and Dennis Schroder of the Brooklyn Nets, both of whom have scored in double figures in every game thus far. Wagner is averaging a team-high 18.6 points in the Paris Olympics and recorded 10 in the semifinal loss to France. Schroder, who has notched 7.8 assists per contest, averaged 18 points over Germany's first four games and hit that mark exactly against the French in the semis.

Severance has analyzed this Serbia vs. Germany bronze-medal matchup from every angle and is leaning Under the total. But he also has discovered a crucial X-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back! 

So who wins Serbia vs. Germany on Saturday? And what X-factor makes one side a must-back? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Germany vs. Serbia picks, all from the betting expert who has returned $4,452 over the past three NBA seasons!