Spain's Sergio Llull tries to drive around Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas, rear, during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - With little room for error, the Spanish men's basketball team absolutely throttled Lithuania 109-59 Saturday to keep its medal hopes alive. Spain, which won silver at the last two Olympics, lost two of its first three games and desperately needed a win - and it still might need help from other teams to advance to the quarterfinals.
Pau Gasol scored 23 as Spain was near perfect in the third quarter, shooting 12 for 14 from the field, including six 3-pointers. Gasol jump-started the second half with three triples as Spain hit 16 3-pointers.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas scored 17 for Lithuania, which never led but had already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals.
Spain will have an eye on Brazil-Nigeria Monday afternoon since Brazil (1-3) holds the head-to-head tiebreak if the two teams finish group play with the same record. The Spaniards play Argentina (3-1) and will advance with a win.
Spain's Pau Gasol (4) fights for a rebound with Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas (17) during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Spain's Pau Gasol (4) reacts after making a basket during a basketball game against Lithuania at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Spain's Rudy Fernandez (5) fights for a loose ball with Lithuania's Jonas Maciulis (8) during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas, right, tries to block a shot by Spain's Nikola Mirotic (44) during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press