ALLSTARS In Olympics basketball: USA defend title against Spain

The USA won their 14th Olympic basketball gold medal as they beat Spain 107-100 to defend their title. The favourites powered ahead in the first quarter before Spain recovered to within a point at the interval. But Spain could not contain the Americans' powerful attack and LeBron James and Kevin Durant scored crucial baskets in the final period. Durant led USA's offence with 30 points, while Spain's Pau Gasol scored 24 at London's North Greenwich Arena. Spain applied pressure to the USA defence for long periods to keep in touch but with their wealth of experienced NBA players the Americans ultimately had too much strength in depth. The United States had scored over 100 points in five of their seven matches leading to the final, including a record 158 against Nigeria, and they continued their imperious form as they strode to a 35-27 lead by the end of the first quarter. As 13,000 supporters looked on, including American actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the USA began to relax and a much-needed three points from Durant put them six points up at 93-86 with 06:25 on the clock. Kobe Bryant said: "It was a good journey for us. It was just tough. So to be standing here at the moment having played a tough opponent in Spain, with another gold medal, it's a huge accomplishment.