USA leads the NBA-packed Spanish team, 59-58, at half time in what is a very tight Olympic basketball tournament final.
A stat that displays just how fierce the match has been is the total number of fouls committed just after 20 minutes of into the game. 33 fouls have been committed - 17 USA, 16 Spain - in the first half compared to 32 fouls in total for the bronze medal match between Russia and Argentina (Russia won, by the way).
TV Schedule
Tip-off started at 10 a.m. EDT / 3:00 p.m. London Time
Leading Scorers
By half time, leading scorers for USA included Kevin Durant with 17 pts, KLove with 9 pts and LeBron James with 8 pts.
Spain had Navarro score 19 points, Rudy Fernandez score 12 and Pau Gasol tally 8 more.
The Gasol brothers, Navarro, Fernandez and the rest Spanish team have proved that they are a team fit for Team USA and the game has easily portrayed high-level basketball that is up for grabs by either team.
Although USA led 35-27 by the 1st quarter, Spain came back to its game in the 2nd quarter outscoring the U.S. 31-24 in 2nd quarter points.
Field Goal Percentage
USA is shooting 53 percent from the field compared to Spain's 41 percent, but the Spanish team had been hitting shots beyond the perimeter more effectively than the U.S. with 54 percentage accuracy compared to USA's 44 percent.
Rebounds
Spain has edged USA in the board grabbing 21 rebounds (8 off., 13 def.) while USA grabbed 19 rebounds (8 off. 11 def.).
Both teams have 5 turnovers and Spain leads free throw shots in percentage.
The game has been quite entertaining to watch so far, but at the same time it serves to convey that Spain basketball is already at NBA-level.
Live Online Streaming
The live streaming can be found here.(no service provider needed)
Team USA Roster
Carmelo Anthony - New York Knicks
Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
Tyson Chandler - New York Knicks
Anthony Davis - New Orleans Hornets
Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder
James Harden - Oklahoma City Thunder
Andre Iguodala - Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James - Miami Heat
Kevin Love - Minnesota Timberwolves
Chris Paul - Los Angeles Clippers
Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder
Deron Williams - Brooklyn Nets
Spain Roster
Gasol, Pau - Los Angeles Lakers
Fernández, Rudy - Real Madrid
Rodríguez, Sergio - Real Madrid
Navarro, Juan Carlos - FC Barcelona
Calderón, José - Toronto Raptors
Reyes, Felipe - Real Madrid
Claver, Víctor - Portland Trail Blazers
San Emeterio, Fernando - Caja Laboral Baskonia
Llull, Sergio - Real Madrid
Gasol, Marc - Memphis Grizzlies
Ibaka, Serge - OKC Thunder
Sada, Víctor - FC Barcelona
Kobe Bryant's Last Match
On another note, Kobe Bryant this week shared that London would in fact be his last Olympic games and today would technically be his last Olympic game. While he may be feeling blue and somewhat nostalgic once the Olympics are up, news regarding a completed Dwight Howard trade to the Lakers may at least keep the star's mind distracted.