Kevin Durant scores 27 points as Americans reach semifinals, where they will play Spain.
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When talking about playing his final game for Argentina, Manu Ginobili couldn’t help but get emotional.
He simply stopped caring whether the US won later that night. Spain’s also limited most production from three-point range at 31.7 percent, while Gasol’s controlled the glass with 8.7 boards, the best among any player at the Olympics.
“For us it’s about effort”, Paul George said.
Whether you want to deem his thinking twisted logic, selfishness or utter brilliance, it worked.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Argentina small forward Andres Nocioni (13) loose ball control of the ball against United States of America forward Draymond Green (14) and U.S. forward Kevin Durant (5) during the men’s basketball quarterfinals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. I know if I go out there and be who I am, the outcome will dictate itself. “I just did not play this summer”.
“If I had a game ball tonight, I’d give one to Paul George”, he added later. Following blowouts of China and Venezuela, the USA got several dosages of reality, defeating Australia, France and Serbia by a combined 16 points.
So much is expected of them, mainly because there is so much talent.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski started Deandre Jordan in place of DeMarcus Cousins at center, and Cousins responded with 15 points off the bench.
“We’ve got a tough game against Spain next and we’re looking forward to playing them”.
Shifting gears the United States went on a 15-2 run to end the first quarter and then stayed on the gas in the second with an 11-0 dash to take control. Though the idea behind Jerry Colangelo’s restructuring of the USA program was to make sure players had plenty of time to get to know each other before an Olympics, there are 10 newcomers here with only a few weeks of practice and play between them.
“I think he’s found a lineup”, television commentator Doug Collins said. Pass it when you’re not. Ginobili will also be joining Garino in San Antonio for training camp with the Spurs, as he continues his National Basketball Association career this coming season.
And the win was extremely comfortable in the end, with the Argentina supporters making the most of their last ten minutes of Olympic action by making a terrific late atmosphere.
He was in Athens in 2004 when the United States men’s basketball team was embarrassed in the Olympics, losing three times and settling for the bronze medal after getting knocked off by Argentina in the semifinals. Klay Thompson busted out of a massive Olympic slump in the pool play finale, going for 30 points against France, but returned to his shooting slumber during the opener of the medal rounds.
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Ginobili played his last game in Olympic competition with Argentina after four Olympics.
