USA vs. Brazil: Start Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Olympics Exhibition Preview

Team USA won the 2010 FIBA World Championships but barely escaped an early group-play matchup against Brazil.

The Americans will have their hands full once again when they face Brazil’s best during this exhibition game leading up to the London 2012 Olympics.

This is the second and final matchup on home soil for Team USA, which will be traveling to England and Spain to finish its Olympic tune-up.

Keep reading to find where you can watch this game, who will be involved and a prediction on the final score.

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.

When: Monday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN2

Live Stream: ESPN3

Team USA Roster

F Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

G Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

C Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks

F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

F Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets

G James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder

F Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

F LeBron James, Miami Heat

F Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

G Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

G Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets

Team Brazil Roster

*Denotes NBA player

C Nene*

PF Anderson Varejao*

SF Marcus Vinicius

SG Leandro Barbosa*

PG Marcelinho Huertas

C Tiago Splitter*

PF Guillherme Giovannoni

SF Marcelinho Machado

SG Alex Garcia

PG Larry Taylor

C Caio Torres

PG Raul Togni Neto

Most Important Player to Watch: Kevin Love

The Minnesota Timberwolves star is the most relentless rebounder on Team USA’s roster. He has a career average of 12 per game in the NBA, although that number dipped to just 4.9 per contest during the 2010 FIBA World Championships.

Look for coach Mike Krzyzewski to employ a lot more Love on Monday, especially considering the thin front line and severe lack of elite rebounders with size on this roster.

NBA players Nene, Varejao and Splitter will all be banging for boards down low, giving Brazil a distinct advantage in that category going into the game.

Love will be key in neutralizing that and helping Team USA win.

Key Matchup: Chris Paul vs. Marcelo Huertas

The Brazilian PG was able to control the game back in ’10 by simply executing the pick-and-roll and dishing to open shooters.

Team USA threw multiple defenders at the 29-year-old but simply could not force him into making mistakes.

CP3 will now take on that challenge and, as one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA, should give Huertas some fits.

Expect this to be a blowout if the Clips superstar can pilfer the rock from the Brazilian floor general and force him into mistakes.

Prediction

USA 102, Brazil 85