The United States men’s basketball team got off to a rough start at the Tokyo Olympics by losing the first group-stage game to France due to a fourth-quarter collapse. Since then, however, they’ve made things look easy with dominant wins over Iran and the Czech Republic to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Now, they’re just three wins away from a fourth-straight gold medal. There’s no more margin for error at this point, it’s win or go home. First up is a Spanish team led by current and former NBA veterans such as Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio and Pau Gasol. This is the fifth-straight Olympics that the two national teams will meet in the knockout rounds.
Ahead of the quarterfinal matchup, here’s everything you need to know:
How to watch USA vs. Spain
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 3 | Time: 12:40 a.m. ET
Location: Saitama Super Arena — Saitama, Japan
TV: None | Live stream: Peacock
Odds (via Caesars Sportsbook): USA -800; Spain +550 | Spread: USA -12 | O/U: 180
Storylines
Team USA: This group of Americans has so far had a rough time living up to the expectations set by the teams that won the last three gold medals in often dominant fashion in the past. They lost twice in exhibition games during training camp, and again in the first game of the group stage. But now they have a chance to put all of that behind them as they enter the knockout stage. Nobody will remember their early stumbles if they go on to win the gold. First, though, they’ll have to get past a tough, veteran Spanish team that has been playing together for well over a decade.
Spain: While they haven’t been able to get past Team USA, the Spaniards have also medaled at the last three Olympics, winning silver in 2008 and 2012, and bronze in 2016. In order to make that four in a row, they’ll have to finally knock off their old rivals. It won’t be easy, but Team USA has looked vulnerable over the past month. This golden generation of Spanish basketball talent is probably in its last run together, and it would be quite a remarkable story if the Gasol brothers and Rubio could pull off the upset.
Prediction
Despite some disappointing play in the last month or so, Team USA enters this game as double-digit favorites due largely to the fact that they’re by far the most talented team in this tournament. They should win this game, but Spain isn’t going to make it easy. We’ll take Team USA to win, but Spain to cover the 12-point spread. Pick: United States -800, Spain +12.
