Olympic Basketball 2012: Spain vs. Brazil Start Time, Viewing Info and Preview

Fresh off a 39-point dismantling of China, Brazil (3-1) will have its hands full when it takes on the Gasol brothers and Spain (3-1) in a Group B matchup.

Five Brazilians scored in double figures in the blowout victory against China, including NBA ballers Leandrinho Barbosa and Tiago Splitter.

Spain enters this matchup coming off of a 77-74 loss at the hands of the Russians, Spain's first loss of the 2012 games.

Pau and Marc Gasol combined for 30 points in the loss and have been playing excellent basketball since arriving in London.

This game will feature nine current NBA players and will not disappoint.  

Here's everything you need to know for Spain vs. Brazil. 

Where: Basketball Arena, London 

When: Monday, August 6 at 3:00 p.m. ET 

Watch: NBC Speciality: Basketball, MSNBC or online at NBCOlympics.com 

Betting Line: Spain by 5 (via Brovada) 

What They’re Saying

Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today published an interesting piece recently questioning whether Spain and Brazil will purposely try to lose this game in order to avoid facing Team USA.

Zillgitt writes: "Spain was favored to win Group B and not expected to see the USA until the gold medal game. But if it beats Brazil on Monday, it could see the USA sooner than anticipated."

I don't really know what to make of either team purposely tanking this game, but assuming each team plays at full strength, Spain will have the edge, given the high level at which the Gasol brothers are playing.

Most Important Player: Pau Gasol

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol has been overpowering here in the 2012 games, scoring 21, 20, 17 and 20 points while leading the Spanish squad in scoring in three out of its four games.

Despite some defensive miscues by Gasol that led to a Russian victory, Gasol has been excellent in London and will make his presence felt against the Brazilians on Monday. 

Prediction

Spain is the favorite in this one, and I like them to win.

It's going to be a close game, but I think the Spaniards are going to take what they learned against the Russians and put it to use against Brazil to come out of this Group B matchup with a win.

The Spanish lineup features a number of NBA players who have shined in London thus far and presents a dominant inside presence, with the likes of the Gasols and Serge Ibaka.

Spain by 4

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