Olympic Basketball Schedule 2012: How to Catch Epic Spain vs. US Gold Medal Game

The wait is almost over.

Ever since Spain gave the United States the scare of their lives in the 2008 gold medal match in Beijing, a rematch in the finals seemed destined to occur.

Fast-forward four years, and now we are here.

Spain enters the game with plenty of momentum after outscoring Russia, 47-28 in the second half of their semifinal win. Pau Gasol had 16 points and 12 rebounds in one of his best performances of the tournament.

Then there are the Americans, who have had lapses at times but really haven’t been threatened as they blew through Group play and the elimination rounds. They breezed past Argentina, 109-83 in the semifinals behind yet another balanced performance that featured five players in double figures.

They look unbeatable heading into the finals. 

Here is how you can catch all of the action of the gold and bronze medal games, which will be broadcasted live.

TV Schedule

Bronze Medal Final: Russia vs. Argentina

When: Sunday, 6 a.m. ET

Watch: NBC Sports Network

Stream: NBCOlympics.com

Gold Medal Final: Spain vs. United States

When: Sunday, 10 a.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Stream: NBCOlympics.com

Prediction

The US is not going to take the No. 2 ranked FIBA team lightly.

They will have to minimize the production of Spain’s three big men in the paint.

Pau is doing a little bit of everything, brother Marc is providing the defense and Serge Ibaka is sitting on the bench (is he in the doghouse?). Assuming Ibaka gets more playing time in the finals, there will be a lot of pressure on center Tyson Chandler to stay on the floor.

His inability to adjust to FIBA officiating has resulted in foul trouble more often than not. While Kevin Love may be a prolific scorer and rebounder, his defense leaves something to be desired. The team needs Chandler to stay on the floor and protect the rim.

It’s really the only shot Spain has to win.

The U.S. team has seven of the top 10 scorers from the last NBA season and have seemed to use their depth as a weapon in the second half, when the opponent begins to get tired.

An example would be in Friday’s semifinals against Argentina, when a seven-point lead ballooned to almost 20 in the blink of an eye.

The combination of Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Russell Westbrook is going to obliterate mediocre NBA player Jose Calderon. They are going to apply heavy ball pressure, which will eventual wear him down. Spain’s backups don’t stand a chance. Expect the turnover differential to be heavily in the US’s favor.

With so many prolific scorers and loads of experience, it would be the biggest upset of the Olympics if they were to lose.

As long as the U.S. doesn't suffer a horrific shooting slump and deny the Gasols from carving them up in the post, America will be just fine.

Prediction: United States 98, Spain 84 

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