USA vs. France 2016, Olympic basketball: Time, TV schedule and team news

The U.S. men’s basketball team looks to stay unbeaten in group play at the 2016 Olympics with a matchup against France on Sunday. The past couple games have revealed some vulnerability on the Americans’ end, but they’re still 4-0 in Rio entering the final group stage game. The game will take place at 1:15 p.m. ET and be televised on NBC Sports Network.

These are two teams that, to some degree, have been going in different directions since the start of the Olympics. The U.S. got out to a hot start by cruising past China and Venezuela, but had some trouble with Australia, then nearly got upset by Serbia. While the competition did get better, the expectations around the U.S. team are high enough that close games feel like underwhelming performances.

France, meanwhile, is seemingly finding its groove after stumbling out of the gate in Rio. The team got crushed, 87-66, by Australia in its first game, and has won three straight games since. After beating Serbia by one point thanks to a clutch jumper by Tony Parker with 31 seconds left in regulation, the French had no trouble in a 40-point win over Venezuela on Friday.

So the U.S. enters on a four-game winning streak here in Rio, while France has won three straight. These are two of the best teams in international basketball. While the stakes aren’t too high for this one given that both teams will advance to the quarterfinals, you can bet that the Americans will want to avoid the close calls they’ve dealt with recently. A big win over France would go a long way towards quieting some of the concerns.

All times Eastern

Start time: 1:15 p.m.

TV: NBC Sports Network

Online Streaming: NBC Sports