Spain vs. Argentina: TV Time, Live Stream, Prediction for Olympic Basketball
There can be no letdown for Spain when it takes on Argentina on Monday for its final group-stage contest in men's basketball at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Spain has won silver medals in men's basketball at the last two Olympics, but it is 2-2 so far at these Summer Games and in third place in Group B. A loss to Argentina could send Spain packing.
Argentina has already secured enough points to move on to the quarterfinals, but it should still be putting forth its best effort against Spain, as a drop in the standings could mean a tougher opponent in knockout-stage play.
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Spain vs. Argentina is set for 6 p.m. ET on Monday. Television coverage will be provided by the NBC Sports Network. Live-streaming of the game, as well as all the other basketball action set for Monday, can be found at NBCOlympics.com.
| Argentina | 4 | 3 | 1 | +32 | 7 |
| Lithuania | 4 | 3 | 1 | -27 | 7 |
| Spain | 4 | 2 | 2 | +56 | 6 |
| Croatia | 4 | 2 | 2 | -16 | 6 |
| Brazil | 4 | 1 | 3 | -13 | 5 |
| Nigeria | 4 | 1 | 3 | -32 | 5 |
Preview, Prediction
Spain is one point ahead of both Brazil and Nigeria, but it loses the tiebreaker to the former on head-to-head results.
So a Spain loss and Brazil win over Nigeria on Monday would put the host nation through (two points are awarded for a win, one for a loss in Olympic basketball). However, if Nigeria beats Brazil, then Spain will go through to the next round, as it beat Nigeria on Thursday.
Brazil vs. Nigeria is slated for 1:15 p.m. ET on Monday, so Spain will know whether it absolutely needs a win by tipoff. Of course, Spain should be fighting hard for a win in either case, as finishing fourth in the group would mean it plays the dreaded United States in the quarterfinals.
Spain is coming off a 109-59 thrashing of previously undefeated Lithuania on Saturday. Pau Gasol poured in 23 points in the contest, including making all five of his three-point attempts, to lead the team in scoring for the third straight game. Sergio Llull brought some precision to the backcourt with six assists.
Overall, Spain has played well at the Olympics, with the losses to Croatia and Brazil coming by a combined three points. The core of the team that has played so well on the international stage for so many years is aging, but Jose Calderon believes his side still has what it takes, per the Associated Press (via USA Today):
"I think people want really — I'm not saying really want us to lose, but it's been too long for Spain to have this run. That's why they've been talking about this generation and all that stuff. We know every year passes by and it's more difficult, but we know each other and we know what we can do together. Yes, we're older, but we're still a really good team.
"
Argentina is aging, but it has clearly been aging well. The team proved its big-game bona fides with a 111-107 double-overtime win over rival Brazil on Saturday. Andres Nocioni was brilliant in the game, scoring 37 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Point guard Facundo Campazzo also put in a monster performance with 33 points and 11 assists.
The diminutive Campazzo (5'11", 187 lbs), who plays for UCAM Murcia on loan from Real Madrid in Spain, had the New York Times' Greg Howard and Hoop Magazine's Josh Eberley ruminating on his NBA potential:
"why isn’t this young man facundo campazzo in the league
— america (@greghoward88) August 13, 2016"
Campazzo's excellent form could continue against a Spanish backcourt consisting of Calderon, Llull and Ricky Rubio, none of whom are considered great defenders. Argentina also has steady hands in Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola, two more players Spain will have to account for on Monday.
Of course, Spain's own lineup is plenty talented with the likes of Rudy Fernandez and Nikola Mirotic in the fold.
With Argentina perhaps a bit drained after the big game against Brazil and Spain coming off a crushing win, look for the latter to secure a place in the quarterfinals with a win on Monday.
Prediction: Spain 95, Argentina 90
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