The group stage in men's basketball is set to wrap up as the United States of America and Puerto Rico will square off on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. ET from the 2024 Paris Olympics in Lille, France. On Wednesday, Team USA handled South Sudan 103-86. On the flip side, Puerto Rico got dominated by Serbia in a 107-66 loss.

Team USA is a 35.5-point favorite in the latest Team USA vs. Puerto Rico odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 189.5. Before you make any USA vs. Puerto Rico 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. Over the past three NBA seasons, Matt has returned $4,452. And over the past four college basketball seasons, Matt is up $887. Anybody following his basketball picks has seen HUGE returns! 

Severance knows that USA's Kevin Durant is an effortless scorer and he's thrived coming off the bench thus far. The 35-year-old attacks from all three levels and is a nightmare for defenders. In the win over South Sudan, Durant totaled 14 points, three assists and three steals in 21 minutes of action.

But Severance also knows Puerto Rico is led by guard Jose Alvarado. Alvarado is able to both score and create. In the loss to South Sudan in the opener, he had 26 points and five assists.

Severance has analyzed this USA vs. Puerto Rico 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. Puerto Rico on Saturday? And what x-factor makes one side a must-back? ... Join SportsLine right now to get USA vs. Puerto Rico picks, all from the betting expert who has returned $4,452 over the past three NBA seasons.