After dominating the group stage, the United States men's basketball team continues its march toward a fifth consecutive gold medal when it faces Brazil at Accor Arena on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team USA cruised past Serbia, South Sudan and Puerto Rico during group play, winning its three games by an average of 21.3 points. Brazil lost its first two contests before rolling past Japan 102-84 to advance to the knockout stage. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. The Americans are 27-point favorites in the latest United States vs. Brazil odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 184.5. Before you make any Brazil vs. United States 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 Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Anthony Edwards scored in double figures in each of Team USA's three group-stage games. Edwards is averaging 16.7 points after recording 26 in the United States' 104-83 triumph over Puerto Rico, while Durant is contributing 16 per game and James 14.3. Durant, who is looking to become the first player to win four gold medals in men's basketball in Olympic history, is Team USA's all-time leading scorer in the Summer Games with 483 career points.

The expert also is aware that Brazil is seeking its first Olympic medal since 1964, when it captured its third bronze in Tokyo. The team received a tremendous effort in the rout of Japan from forward Bruno Caboclo, who registered a double-double with 33 points and 17 rebounds. After producing only seven points in Brazil's opener against France, guard Vitor Benite has raised his game, scoring 17 versus Germany and 19 in the group-stage finale.

Severance has analyzed this Team USA vs. Brazil matchup and he's 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 USA vs. Brazil on Tuesday? And what X-factor makes one side a must-back? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Brazil vs. USA picks, all from the betting expert who has returned $4,452 over the past three NBA seasons!