Canada Takes on Spain With Seeding Up for Grabs: Where to Watch & Why it Matters

The Canadian senior men's basketball team will take on Spain in its final group stage game Friday morning: Where to watch & why it matters

Jul 30, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; Canada players celebrate after defeating Australia in a men's group stage basketball match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Canada will play its third and final group stage game Friday morning when the senior men's basketball team tips off against Spain at 11:15 a.m. ET.

Where to Watch

CBC and TSN 1050 will broadcast the game.

Why it Matters

With a win, Canada will clinch the top spot in Group A and likely one of the top three spots in the playoff. Defeating Spain would likely keep Canada away from the United States in the playoff.

While Canada has already clinched a playoff berth, a loss would force Canada into a tiebreaker scenario in which point differential will be used to determine Canada's seeding moving forward.

What to Watch For

• RJ Barrett has been phenomenal through two games, leading Canada in scoring in each contest. Canada needs that scoring output to continue as Barrett has done a remarkable job of getting good looks off in the rhythm of the offense.

• Canada will have to slow Spain's 6-foot-11 forward Santi Aldama who has been the tournament's third-leading scorer through two games. Without much frontcourt size, Canada may have trouble against Adama, but expect the Canadians to pay the 23-year-old plenty of attention Friday morning.

• Jamal Murray has been quiet but made some big plays late against Australia in Canada's most recent game. Canada needs him to find his groove against Spain before the do-or-die playoff tip-off on Tuesday.

• Canada needs to keep its foot on the gas pedal against Spain even if the Canadians are leading late as point differential will determine the No. 2 seed in the playoff. Canada is plus-17 and should be hoping for a close victory for France over Germany on Friday afternoon. France is plus-16 while Germany is plus-33 through two games.