Team USA defeats Spain 100-78 in their final exhibition match remaining at a perfect 5-0 heading into the London Olympics 2012 Games.
Team USA fell behind early but regained momentum with a huge 17-point swing in the second quarter behind solid defense and strong play from forward Carmelo Anthony. The U.S. forced seven turnovers alone in the second half.
Team USA added to their lead midway through the third and held on only allowing Spain to cut it down to 13 points.
Carmelo Anthony lead all scorers, coming off the bench he was able to score 23 of his 27 points in the first half.
LeBron James added 25 and Kevin Durant had 13, including 10 in the first 3 minutes of the third quarter.
Spain, who was without center Marc Gasol, recorded 19 turnovers under the crowding defense of the U.S.
Pau Gasol scored 19 points and Oklahoma City forward Serge Ibaka, a native of the Republic of Congo who became a Spanish national last year, had 16.
Spain's size advantage was evident early, especially once Tyson Chandler, the only center on the U.S. roster, went to the bench with two quick fouls. The Spanish pounded the ball inside to Ibaka, who accounted for three straight Spain baskets on dunks, and the Americans were forced to use a timeout.
The teams played a memorable gold-medal game four years ago, the Americans pulling away for a 118-107 victory after leading by only four points with under 2½ minutes left.
The U.S. had a pair of quality tests in Barcelona, beating Argentina 86-80 on Sunday and going 5-0 overall in exhibition play. But the Americans were pushed by all three opponents with legitimate NBA size, the two here and Brazil in an 80-69 victory in Washington.
The U.S. and Spain were drawn into opposite Olympic pools, so they wouldn't play until the elimination round. And it's likely to be at the very end of it.
