The all-conquering USA women’s Basketball team look to make it six gold medals in a row and go in as unbackable favourites against Spain who will need everything to go their way and then some. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:30am (AEST).
The USA have played an incredibly dominant tournament, which was to be expected coming in and the closest they have come to losing is 26 points.
That was in their third match against Serbia, when their defence slightly let them down as they conceded 84 points – of course, none of that matters when you go right ahead and throw up 110.
In fact, after six matches that is their only victory under 30 points, making it an absolutely incredible tournament for the States.
Spain have also been strong throughout the Olympics, only losing the single game and looking pretty dominant for the most part.
The only time they have been challenged when winning was against Serbia unsurprisingly when they won by six.
Unfortunately for Spain, they did lose a game and it was an absolute drubbing against the USA after the sides were drawn in the same group. They would go down by 40 and simply have no answers at either end of the court.
Even though this is a final and Spain should stand up more than they have done, the quarter-final and semi-final factor didn’t seem to affect the USA as they demolished Japan by 46 and France by 19, but even then they led from start to finish and unlike their male counterparts weren’t challenged at any point.
Spain on the other hand only just got the better of Turkey in the quarter-final winning by two before beating Serbia by 14.
The bottom line is that the USA dominate every key statistic between the side apart from offensive rebounds and they have production all over the floor.
If Spain are going to stay close or be in any position to challenge for a win then it all comes down to the offensive production of Alba Torrens, who has averaged 16 points per game for the tournament.
The USA are so heavily favoured to win the match in fact that most betting agencies haven’t even offered odds – just that Spain are around $30 to win and take home gold.
Prediction
The USA have dominated the tournament, and the last five Olympic campaigns. They won’t lose, and it won’t be close. They are just too good.
USA by 31.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the women’s Basketball final in Rio from 4:30am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this morning for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 Rio Olympics women's Basketball Final as the United States of America recorded a dominant 29-point win over Spain. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. The sport doesn't stop here as the final days of the Olympic Games are played. Right now, Vas Venkatramani is all ready to go for the Football final between Brazil and Germany! http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/21/brazil-vs-germany-rio-olympics-mens-football-gold-medal-match/ I'll be back at 2pm (AEST) for our coverage of the NRL as the Canberra Raiders take on the Parramatta Eels. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Statistics 2-point field goals: USA (58%), Spain (41%) 3-point field goals: USA (60%), Spain (37%) Free Throws: USA (59%), Spain (70%) Offensive rebounds: USA (13), Spain (7) Defensive rebounds: USA (38), Spain (21) Total rebounds: USA (51), Spain (28) Assists: USA (29), Spain (16) Turnovers: USA (21), Spain (17) Steals: USA (9), Spain (5) Blocks: USA (3), Spain (6) Fouls: USA (16), Spain (23) Fast break points: USA (18), Spain (16) Points in the paint: USA (32), Spain (34) Bench points: USA (55), Spain (23)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring breakdown 1st Quarter USA 21 - Spain 17 2nd Quarter USA 28 - Spain 15 3rd Quarter USA 32 - Spain 17 4th Quarter USA 20 - Spain 23 FULLTIME United States of America 101 Spain 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stats and report to come. Thoughts Roarers.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Xargay gets a basket for Spain with about 16 seconds to go from the high post. The USA dribble it out and that will do us! The United States of America are once again gold medalists. USA - 101 Spain - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' USA go to Stewart and she knocks down a three! 100 up. USA - 101 Spain - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Ndour with a miss from deep before Whelan draws a foul on Torrens trying to drive around her and get into the paint. USA - 98 Spain - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Stewart called for another travel. USA - 98 Spain - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Stewart to McCoulthry and then back to Stewart who knocks down the jumper. At the other end a three pointer for Spain. USA - 98 Spain - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Inbound pass to Whelan and she knocks down the jump shot from the high post. Spain now turn it over - poor pass from Cruz. USA - 96 Spain - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Spain with it and time running down now. Palau to Xarvay and she misses on a jump shot. Whelan into the paint and she draws a foul. USA - 94 Spain - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Stewart now called for a travel. USA - 94 Spain - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Fantastic ball movement with a ball to Stewart driving through the lane and she makes the easy basket - Cruz does something similar at the other end. USA - 94 Spain - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Whalen now drives around the defence and finds a lane to the basket to knock it down. Nicholls makes a jump shot at the other end. USA - 92 Spain - 65
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Couple of misses and then Xargay knocks down a lay up. USA - 90 Spain - 63
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' USA with a missed three before Xargay finds a way through and lays it in. USA - 90 Spain - 61
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' The Spanish go to Nicholls who loses it, regathers and then passes it over the baseline. USA - 90 Spain - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Pascua commits a reach in foul now. That's just sloppy there. From the inbound they go to McCouthry and she hits it from the corner - had a foot on the line so only 2. USA - 90 Spain - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Spain miss in transition before Bird brings it down the floor. Ball comes lose and there is a bit of a scrap for the ball as Palau is called for a foul. USA - 88 Spain - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Back to the inbound and Spain score under the basket before the USA turn it over. USA - 88 Spain - 59