Team USA update: Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki and Germany (1-3) look to salvage something from these Games. Are they enough to slow the Dream? Germany takes on Team USA (4-0) in their final Olympic Group B men's basketball preliminary game before the medal round.

Did you know: Despite not starting, Dwyane Wade leads Team USA in scoring at 17.8 points per game -- tied for third overall behind fellow NBA players Manu Ginobli (21.5 ppg, Argentina) and Yao Ming (19.8, China).

To watch: 8 a.m., USA.

1,500 meters of drought: No runner from the United States has won the men's Olympic 1,500-meter run since 1908. Adopted son Bernard Lagat is intent on ending that streak. U.S. flagbearer Lopez Lomong, one of "The Lost Boys" of Sudan, also is entered in the 1,500, offering a second emotive story line for the American team.

Did you know: Lagat, running for his native Kenya, earned bronze in the 1,500 in Sydney and silver in Athens.

To watch: 8 p.m., WPXI.

Pirates: In case you need a break from all the running and jumping and flipping and flopping, the Pirates continue a string of 15 consecutive games against playoff contenders with one at Busch Stadium against the Cardinals.

Did you know: In their 10 games from Aug. 5-15, Pirates starting pitchers put up a 2.22 earned run average (17 ER, 69 IP). Overall, the staff ERA in that span was 2.40. Their record in the 10 games: 4-6.

To watch: 8:05 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh.

FedEx Cup: In case you've forgotten, the FedEx Cup is in its second year as part of the PGA Tour season. The first of its four playoff tournaments tees off in The Barclays in Paramus, N.J. The goal: Be the last golfer standing Sept. 28 at the end of The Tour Championship. More, Page C-7.

Did you know: FedEx refresher course: A field of 144 players begin the playoffs. That field will be reduced to 120 after Week 1, to 70 after Week 2 and to 30 after Week 3. Those 30 will play in The Tour Championship Sept. 25-28.

To watch: 2 p.m., Golf Channel.

One last sprint: Rochester's Lauryn Williams, left, hopes to be part of the U.S. women's 4x100 relay team and with it perhaps exorcise memories of the botched handoff between her and Marion Jones that cost the U.S. women the gold medal in 2004 -- the gold medal that ultimately went to Jamaica.

Did you know: A sure thing missed? The disappointed U.S. team that went home empty-handed in 2004 ran 41.67 seconds in its qualifying race in Athens. No other team broke 43 seconds.

To watch: 8 p.m., WPXI.

Steelers: Preseason game No. 3, the contest in which teams often resemble what fans will see in the regular season, takes the Steelers to the Metrodome for a game against NFC North favorite Minnesota.

Did you know: The first round of mandatory cuts must be made by 4 p.m. Aug. 26. Rosters must be down to 75 players, with the final cuts to be made no later than 11 a.m. Aug. 30.

To watch: 8 p.m., KDKA.

Dream of gold: This is what USA Basketball has been pointed to since, as team general manager Jerry Colangelo said recently, their embarrassment in Athens four years ago. The Olympic gold medal game tips off in one of the final events of the XXIX Olympiad. Will Team USA be on the floor?

Did you know: Only four players in uniform for the 2004 bronze medal performance are on Team USA this time around: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer and Dwyane Wade.

To watch: 2:30 a.m., WPXI (replayed at 2:30 p.m.)