United States 126 Argentina 97: Dream Team continue gold medal charge after topping Group A

 

The United States wore down battling Argentina in the second half to lock up top spot in Group A with a 5-0 record.

Argentina matched the Americans blow-for-blow in a pulsating first half, trailing 60-59 at half-time.
But the Americans outscored them 42-17 in an incredible third quarter in which the red-hot Kevin Durant hit five three-pointers from increasing distance.

Unstoppable: The US team had to fight hard to overcome the Argentinians

Tensions flared down the stretch with both sides collecting technical fouls, but that was simply a measure of Argentina's frustration at their inability to stop the Americans, and the Americans' eagerness to let them know it.
It had been a different story in the first half, when Argentina used some excellent shooting to keep pace, never letting the Americans pull more than four points clear.
That soon changed in the third quarter. LeBron James scored seven quick points including a huge three to power them into a 67-62 lead before Durant hit the first of five quickfire three-pointers that carried the United States out of sight.

Basket case: Andres Nocioni cuts through the American defence

Lift off: Luis Scola goes in for a lay-up as Tyson Chandler can only watch on

A huge shot from well outside the arc made it 85-68 midway through the quarter and his fifth of the period made it 93-74 with 1:52 left in the period.
When Carmelo Anthony's three made it 102-76 to end the third, Argentina seemed to take exception and several players clashed at midcourt, leading to technical fouls against both teams.
Early in the fourth, Russell Westbrook was called for a technical, apparently for his reaction to scoring a monster dunk that had made it 107-79.
But no amount of posturing from either team was going to change the result as the United States ran out big winners.

Team spirit: The US team know they remain on course to land the gold medal

Durant finished with 28 points while James had 18 and Chris Paul 17. Manu Ginobili led Argentina with 16 points and Carlos Delfino had 13.
The result finalised the bracket for Wednesday's quarter-final round. The United States will play Australia, Argentina take on South American rivals Brazil, Spain meet France and Russia play Lithuania.

Down but not out: Carmelo Anthony is floored during the clash at the Basketball Arena