Spain keeps medal hopes alive with win over Lithuania

RIO DE JANEIRO – After losing its first two games by a combined three points, Spain’s men’s basketball team did what it had to do against Lithuania on Saturday and can advance to the quarterfinals with a victory against Argentina on Monday.

Spain crushed previously unbeaten Lithuania 109-59. Pau Gasol, who signed with the San Antonio Spurs in the offseason, led Spain with 23 points.

Spain (2-2) is still in danger of not advancing to the medal round. If it loses to Argentina and Brazil beats Nigeria on Sunday, Spain would leave Rio much earlier than expected.

If Spain doesn’t advance, it would be a major disappointment for the silver medalists at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics and gold medalists at the 2015 European championships.

"We haven't done anything yet," Spain and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio said. "We did a really bad job in the first two games; well. I wouldn't say that bad, but we lost the first two games. The results weren't what we expected. But I think now we're on the right track. We haven't done anything, though. We have to beat Argentina if we want to be in the next round, and it's going to be like a final for us."

Group A quarterfinalists are just about set. USA, Australia and France are in, and Serbia will be too if it beats China on Sunday, which is expected considering Serbia almost beat France and the U.S. China is 0-4 and has lost three of its game by at least 25 points.

Group B is more interesting and unpredictable. Argentina and Lithuania have qualified for the quarterfinals. But the order of teams 1-4 remains in flux. Argentina and Lithuania all have a chance to finish first in group play, and Spain could finish as high as second if it wins Monday, depending on the outcome of games. Spain's lopsided win could come into play as points differential is one of the tiebreakers used to determine final group standings.

If Spain finishes fourth, it will get the U.S. in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Rio Olympics: Best images of Saturday, Aug. 13