{image-us basketball_24082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Beijimg, Aug 24: The U.S. men's basketball team gained the redemption it had waited for four four years, defeating a stubborn Spanish team 117-107 at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. Spearheaded by Dwayne Wade's 27 points and 20 more from inspirational leader Kobe Bryan, the U.S. gained redemption for failing to claim gold in Athens.

Spain, the world champions, gave the Mike Krzyzewski-coached assemblage of NBA superstars all it could handle, however, pulling to within four points, 108-104, with two and a half minutes left. But a Wade three-pointer and Bryant runner in the lane pushed the advantage back up to eight and the Spanish had no response.

Rudy Fernandez scored 22 points for Spain, while Pau Gasol added 21.

Spearheaded by Carlos Francisco Delfino's 21 points, Argentina claimed the bronze medal by taming Lithuania 87-75.

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