Olympic Basketball 2012: Ranking the Gold-Medal Chances for the Final Four Teams

Spurred by a magnificent triple-double by forward LeBron James, Team USA became the last semifinalist of these London Games, beating the Australian team 119-86 on Wednesday.

Looming next for the United States is a rematch against Argentina, a team the Yanks beat 126-97 in the preliminary round. Despite the 29-point victory, all eyes will be on Team USA to see how they respond to the dirty play Argentina had down the stretch of their previous matchup. The final score may not end up close, but the tension throughout the match will be palpable.

The other side of the bracket is not without controversy, either. In a Group B rematch, Russia will get an opportunity to take down world No. 2 Spain for the second time in London. And while the matchup should be great by itself, the looming questions about Spain throwing their last group match against Brazil to face Russia in the semifinals remain.

Regardless, all four teams remaining have just one goal: to win the gold medal. Which team is more likely to do so?

Take a look as we rank the four remaining teams in these Summer Games.

4. Argentina

Olympic Record: 4-2

Average Points For: 88.3

Average Points Against: 83.5

Behind five players in double-figures, the Argentines survived brilliant performances from Brazil's Leandro Barbosa and Marcelinho Huertas to come away with an 82-77 victory.

Up next for Argentina is world No. 1 Team USA.

And while Argentina certainly has an on-paper shot of beating the United States, the team's actions in the preliminary round woke the sleeping bear, Team USA.

Expect Carmelo Anthony, who received a groin punch from Facundo Campazzo in the teams' first matchup, to come out in a retaliatory fervor and lead the Americans early.

The Argentines have also had trouble defensively in nearly every contest, while the Yanks are far and away the highest-scoring team in London. Not exactly an ideal combination for Argentina.

If we were ranking bronze-medal chances, it's likely that Argentina would rank No. 1. But the 26.5-point spread (via Bovada.lv) should tell you the unlikelihood of an Argentine upset of Team USA.

3. Russia

Olympic Record: 5-1

Average Points For: 80.5

Average Points Against: 72.2

A virtuoso performance from the Russian defense was key as they took down a much more experienced Lithuanian squad 83-74 in the quarterfinals. 

Lithuania's starting five combined for a paltry 15 points as Russia's starters gave quite possibly the best defensive performance of these Olympic Games to set up a date with Spain in the semis.

Russia shockingly defeated the second-ranked Spaniards 77-74 in preliminary action on its way to a Group B title. But the Russians needed 24 points from reserve guard Vitaliy Fridzon and for the Spanish guards to shoot just 34.6 percent to come away with that victory.

If Russia can commit to a lockdown defense and find a Fridzon-like performance from one of their role players, the team could continue its Cinderella run. It just isn't very likely.

2. Spain

Olympic Record: 4-2

Average Points For: 80.0

Average Points Against: 75.5

A six-point fourth quarter keyed a French collapse, as Spain came away with a shockingly close 66-59 victory in the teams' quarterfinal matchup.

France held Spanish-leading scorer Pau Gasol to just 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting while also limiting star reserve Serge Ibaka to just four points and five rebounds.

If Spain hopes to clash with Team USA in the gold-medal round for a second-straight Olympics, the team will need much better performances from their big men against Russia. The Russians have more talented big men and have already won against the Spaniards, so intimidation will be no factor in this semifinal matchup.

On the other hand, talent disparity will be a factor. Spain's Olympic-best frontcourt and incredibly deep backcourt should prove too much for Russia, whose core players have to be standing on their last legs.

The six-point spread (via Bovada.lv) may wind up a gross underestimation if Spain performs even at an above-average clip.

1. United States

Olympic Record: 6-0

Average Points For: 118.0

Average Points Against: 80.7

Team USA is currently sitting at 1/33 odds (via Bovada.lv) to come away as gold medalists in London. To put that in perspective, those odds mean you have to wager $3,300 just to come away with a $100 profit. 

In the gambling world, betting on Team USA is a zero-sum game unless you're a high-roller betting hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

But for Team USA, that's simply another indicator of its sheer dominance so far in London.

Even though Australia came out with its top-notch game on Wednesday, it was no match for the sheer talent and athleticism of Team USA. Coming away with a 119-86 loss should be seen as nothing less than a moral victory for the Australians. 

Leading the charge for the Americans was LeBron James, whose 11 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists gave the 2012 NBA MVP the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic history.

With a rematch against Argentina looming, Team USA should come into the semifinals motivated and skate to the gold-medal game.