Recent history and on-paper potential both predicted Team USA and Spain would collide in the gold-medal matchup. That's where they met in the past two Olympics and what their respective rosters looked capable of this time around.
But rather than play each other for the championship, they'll compete for a spot in the finals. Spain's 0-2 start to the Games put them in America's bracket, so the hoops heavyweights will lock horns one round ahead of schedule.
Their 2008 and 2012 championship collisions were decided by a total of 18 points, and another nail-biter could be in the works.
Team USA finally found some momentum in its 105-78 quarterfinal thrashing of Argentina, but the Americans won their previous three games by 16 points combined. Spain, meanwhile, has roared back from its early struggles and destroyed its last three opponents 293-199.
"We have ultimate respect for Spain," Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski said, per Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor. "They have as much talent and done as well as anybody besides us in the world."
Spain is loaded with NBA talent past and present: ...
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Article written by Zach Buckley
Team USA vs. Spain: TV Time, Live Stream, Prediction for 2016 Olympic Basketball
August 18th, 2016 by Zach Buckley Leave a reply »
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