United States of America vs. Spain has been the final for the past two Olympics with the Americans coming out on top both times.
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For the first five minutes or so, it looked to be a repeat of the last three games for Team USA, but the Americans were quickly able to overcome another sluggish start to blow out Argentina 105-78 and advance to the semifinal round in Rio.
US guard Kyrie Irving (10) drives to the basket against Argentina point guard Facundo Campazzo (7) during the men’s basketball quarterfinals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1.
In another match, European champions Spain led the first quarter by 19-16 when both teams were ready for an intense battle throughout the game. The Americans barely had beaten France and Serbia, and had fits against Australia in the men’s basketball event. It was fitting, then, that Spain dominated France on Wednesday afternoon to ensure its part in this hoops play.
The Boomers, as they are known Down Under, have finished fourth three times and were twice beaten by Lithuania (1996 and 2000) in the bronze-medal game.
Collectively, the US started the game ice-cold, shooting just 1-of-8 from three.
The best part of the rematch? “When you have fans like that, it’s wonderful, man, for both teams”.
Before Wednesday’s quarterfinals against an experienced – OK, old – Argentina team, there was enough concern to last through the next summer Olympics for Team USA.
Kevin Durant led Team USA with 27 points and six assists, with Paul George coming off the bench to add eight rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots. They made it look easy by the end, when DeMar DeRozan gave the fans some added entertainment with a 360-degree dunk in the final minutes. The Americans led 56-40 at halftime. Argentina, which won gold in 2004, features Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni. With the Americans down 14-7, Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski was even calling a mercy timeout to stop the bleeding – the kind of thing you simply never see.
Argentine comeback? Nope. In the first 90 seconds of the second half, Team USA employed an 11-5 run, featuring two 3s by Durant and another by Anthony and the lead was 67-45.
From George to Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, DeAndre Jordan and all the rest, they played the kind of defense that was nowhere to be found in recent games.
“It took me some time to get used to everything on the outside of a game, whether it was media or fans and their points of view”, he said.
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Kevin Durant scores 27 points as Americans reach semifinals, where they will play Spain.
