With a spot in the gold-medal game at the 2012 Olympic basketball tournament on the line, Team Russia has played an inspired first half against Spain. Their defense has been all over the place, holding Spain to just six made field goals over the entire first half. That has keyed a 31-20 halftime lead for Russia.
David Blatt's team has been frustrating Spain's normally high-powered offense with pristine defensive rotations. Spain has hit just six of their 29 field goal attempts, and they've been visibly dismayed at their inability to create offense. Their three starting guards -- Jose Calderon, Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Fernandez -- are a combined 1-11 from the field. Pau Gasol has seven points to lead Spain, but nobody else has more than three.
Russia's offense hasn't been sharp either, but it's been much better than Spain's. Sergey Monia has nine points to lead the way, while center Sasha Kaun has eight points, outplaying counterpart Marc Gasol.
The winner plays the winner of Team USA vs. Argentina in the gold-medal game.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub. For more on Olympic basketball, follow the 2012 Olympic basketball section.
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