Against the Argentines, it was more of the same for Team USA. The game stayed close through much of the first half, but the Americans shifted into blowout mode in the third quarter, putting the contest out of reach with a flurry of forced turnovers, dunks and three-pointers. Kevin Durant and Lebron James led the way once again, with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Durant hit five three-pointers while James was his typically efficient self, needing only 12 shots to amass his 18 points.

Team USA made 18-of-42 three-point attempts in total and shot 53 percent from the field overall.

In what’s become something of a tired refrain, Team USA simply had more athleticism, speed and shooting than their opopnents. Argentina, like many teams have so far in the Olympics, kept the score respectable for a half. As usual, though, Team USA just overpowered their competition in the third and fourth quarters.

Spain, the team most feel is the world’s second best, is next on the menu for Team USA. On Sunday, the two squads will meet in a rematch of the gold medal game they played in Beijing in 2008.

Team USA hasn’t put together a fully dominant game against a legitimate opponent yet (sorry, Nigeria). Instead, they’ve relied on coasting for most of the game and turning on the afterburners when they’re done toying with the opposition. Against Spain, Team USA has every motivation to finally let it all hang out for 40 minutes—and they might do just that.

But realistically, even if Team USA gives another half-good performance against Spain, it’ll still probably be enough to take home the gold medal. The Americans are simply too deep and too talented to let Spain steal this one.

Prediction for the gold medal game: Team USA blows out Spain 128-89.

Tempers could flare in what’s sure to be a heated contest between the Americans and the team that beat them in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. But don’t expect a second upset.

Team USA seems to be firing on all cylinders, having just blown out Australia 119-86 in the quarterfinals. Lebron James and Kevin Durant have led the team, with some help from Carmelo Anthony. But even Kobe Bryant showed up against the Aussies, throwing in 20 points in the second half of that game.

Look for Team USA to take their play to another level against the Argentines. We’re into the medal rounds now, and there’s reason to believe Team USA has a gear we haven’t seen yet.

Argentina’s got plenty of NBA talent, led by Manu Ginobili and the second-leading scorer in these Olympics, Luis Scola. But unlike Athens in 2004, Argentina simply doesn’t have the firepower to knock of a focused Team USA—which seems to be improving as the tournament progresses. Plus, the Americans already had their wake-up call in a close victory over Lithuania last week.

Expect Argentina to keep things close for some of the first half. As the game wears on, though, expect Team USA to drop the hammer. The Americans have plenty of motivation now that they’re into the medal rounds. Add the chippy ending to the two teams’ last meeting, and you’ve got a recipe for a blowout of Olympic proportions.