Rio Olympics (Photo : Getty Images)
Group B men's basketball action resumes on Thursday, as host nation Brazil take on Croatia, while Spain guns for their first win of the tournament as they play also a winless squad in Nigeria. Capping up the triple-header schedule is an intriguing showdown between former Olympic champion Argentina and Lithuania.
Brazil vs. Croatia at 1:15 p.m US EST - Live Stream / Replay & Boxscores
Both scoring huge upset victories against two-time Olympic finalist Spain, Brazil and Croatia will try to up their record 2-1 and get some sort of breathing room in a very tight Group B competition.
Brazil, who pulled off 66-65 win over the Spaniards on Tuesday, looks to get their first winning streak in the tourney at the expense of Croatians, who tasted their first defeat against a more battle-tested Argentine squad.
Expect a highly-physical battle in the interior with Brazil's veteran banger Nene locking horns with Croatia's young guns led by Philadelphia 76ers lottery pick Dario Saric and Brooklyn Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
Results: Crotia wins 80-76
Spain vs. Nigeria at 6:00 p.m US EST - Live Stream / Replay & Boxscores
Nobody expected Spain winless heading to this point of the tournament. But after two shocking losses to Brazil and Croatia, Spain found themselves on the brink of a major collapse in this Olympic Games.
San Antonio Spurs power forward Pau Gasol is averaging 19.5 points and 9 boards per contest, but he hasn't gotten solid contributions from his teammates, particularly from their backcourt.
Nigeria, on the other hand, just couldn't much the firepower of their rivals in their first two matches. Ike Diogu has been the heart and soul of this team, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds. With their backs against the wall, Spain will have no choice but to show their true might.
Prediction: Spain by 20 points
Argentina vs. Lithuania at 9:30 p.m US EST - Live Stream / Replay & Boxscore
Who says Argentina is a bunch of old guys? The former Olympic champion has been showing excellent basketball as of late, beating Nigeria and Croatia decisively. As expected, Luis Scola continues to carry the team, as he's putting up 20.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
Lithuania, a team that boasts a bevy of good big men, meanwhile is surprisingly thriving on outstanding guard play of Mantas Kalnietis. The 6-foot-4 point guard has been the focal point of Lithuania's offense, averaging 18.5 points and 10.0 dimes a game.
All eyes will be on the match-up between Kilnietis and Argentina court general Facundo Campazzo. Campazzo is averaging 14 points and 6 dimes through the first two contests, and will be the main orchestrator for the Argentine in their showdown with Lithuania. Then again, if the game comes down to one final basket, look for Manu Ginobili to take over.
Prediction: Argentina by single digit
