Five things we learned after day four of 3x3 at Paris Olympics

PARIS (France) - The  picture is starting to get clearer in the 3x3 competition after a crazy day four filled with thrillers and epic performances at the Paris Olympics. 

Let's look at five things we learned. 

Olympic dreams are basically over for France (women's) and China (men's)

The Olympics are almost over for France (women's) and China (men's), who are the only teams in the entire competition with just one win. 

It's a bitter blow for host France, who entered as a serious gold medal contender having enjoyed so much success over the years. 

They've enjoyed enormous support, but haven't handled the pressure well much to the disappointment of their passionate fans. 

France endured a crushing day four after a pair of agonizing defeats to USA and Germany. 

China are also on the brink of elimination in the men's draw after falling to a three-player USA and Lithuania on day four. They did enjoy a memorable upset over Serbia on day two, but it's been tough going otherwise and - like France - need a miracle to progress. 

Germany in pole position for semis 

Germany are the only team with five wins in the women's draw after edging China and France. They can clinch a spot into the semis with victory over Spain on day five. 

But if they stumble then Germany are vulnerable. Spain are on four wins and so too Australia, who close with a clash against France. They are the only three teams who can make the semis. 

The only other team guaranteed of progressing is USA after their dramatic pair of victories on day four. Canada, Azerbaijan and China - who are currently seventh and will need to beat the USA in their final game to progress - are fighting for play-in spots. 

Canada and Azerbaijan will square off on day five.  

Latvia surge into the semis 

There is only one team in the entire competition who remain undefeated. That is the reigning men's gold medalist who surged into the semis after a convincing victory over rival Serbia. 

Latvia are playing beautiful 3x3 and running rings around opponents - even Serbia's feared defense was helpless to stop them. Latvia's game is built around constant movement and finding open shooters from beyond the arc. 

Against Serbia, 18 of their 27 shots came from beyond the arc and they finished +10 on twos. We all know what Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis can do, but young gun Francis Lacis has added extra firepower with his explosive inside-outside game. 

They are now the gold medal favorite. 

Serbia, Netherlands and Lithuania have also booked their spots to the knockout stages and will be fighting for the vacant semi-final direct spot. Serbia and Lithuania play each other on day six, while Netherlands meet USA. 

Miezis does it again

Another day, another Miezis dagger. Defending champs Latvia's unbeaten start to the tournament appeared under major threat under a French avalanche from Franck Seguela amid deafening noise at La Concorde. 

Seguela had appeared to give France a memorable dub after hitting a long-range jumper from the corner triggering wild scenes in the bleachers. 

But the joy as short-lived as his foot was on the line meaning the scores were deadlocked at 20 apiece. 

And you just knew what would happen here. It was the same old script with Nauris Miezis banking a two-piece on the right side to mute the crowd's volume.

Miezis had also come up clutch late in Latvia's thrilling comeback victory over USA late on day three as he continues to make the Olympic stage his own. 

Barry's brilliance ensures USA remain alive

With guts, determination and pure heart, Canyon Barry produced an Olympic performance for the ages. 

Stepping up big time with superstar Jimmer Fredette on the sidelines, Barry scored 30 points in a scoring binge to lift USA to famous wins over France and China.

 He produced a one-two punch for the ages on a day he will never forget

  FIBA