Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 6:37 PM

The United States has won the Olympic men's basketball gold medal, defeating Spain 118-107 in the championship game.

Dubbed the "Redeem Team" after missing out on gold at the last three major international tournaments, including the Athens title in 2004, the Americans were pushed hard by Spain but held on to score a hard-fought win.

Dwyane Wade top-scored for the US with 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting, while Lakers star Kobe Bryant hit 20 points and six assists.

LeBron James contributed 14 and Carmelo Anthony scored 13 for the US squad.

Wade, James and Anthony were all reserve members of the US team that had to settle for bronze at the 2004 Olympics, sparking the golden quest of this side.

Rudy Fernandez scored 22 to lead Spain while big man Pau Gasol, Bryant's NBA team-mate at Los Angeles, added 21 points.

Earlier, Carlos Delfino scored 20 points and Luis Scola added 16 to lead 2004 Olympic champion Argentina past Lithuania 87-75 in the bronze medal game.

Argentina, playing without injured NBA star Manu Ginobili, seized a 46-34 half-time lead, jumping ahead 35-27 on a 9-0 run, and never looked back, maintaining control throughout the second half.

Andres Nocioni added 14 points while Alfredo Quinteros and Leonardo Gutierrez each contributed 11 for Argentina, which collected only its second Olympic medal in the sport.

Ramunas Siskauskas scored 15 points to lead Lithuania, which also had 14 from Rimantas Kaukenas.