SAITAMA, Japan — Now issues get severe.
The USA males’s basketball crew opens Olympic knockout-round play towards Spain on Tuesday afternoon at Saitama Tremendous Area.
Spain is the No. 2-ranked crew on the earth and will present a stiff take a look at for the People, who’re ranked No. 1 however have produced a string of shaky performances within the final month.
After two exhibition losses earlier than the beginning of the Video games, the USA began its Olympic marketing campaign with a loss to France. The People largely cruised by way of their subsequent two contests — towards far weaker opponents, Iran and the Czech Republic — and had a while to determine some rhythm as a gaggle.
That progress now will get put to the take a look at in in the present day’s quarterfinal matchup. The loser will likely be out of the operating for a medal.
