Harrison Barnes capped the scoring with a long range three to make the final score 105-78 and send the U.S. swiftly into the semifinals at the top of their game.
Advertisement
Team USA appeared to rectify many of their issues against Argentina, chasing shooters off the line and leveraging their athleticism to great advantage.
“We tended to think it was going to be easier than we thought”, Durant said. Fans were expecting two powerhouse teams USA and Spain to battle for Gold, but they meet a little early for the Semifinals USA vs. Spain on Friday, 19th August 2016 at in the Carioca Arena, Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points as Team USA put an end to a streak of close games, defeating Argentina 105-78 at the Olympics in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The answer might be nothing.
Along with Team USA, France, Spain, and Serbia advanced to the semifinals.
The Americans eliminated Argentina for the third straight Olympics, this time ending not only a tournament for the Argentines but also an era for the 2004 gold medalists.
Just a few hours later, his 39-year-old San Antonio Spurs teammate Manu Ginobili followed suit by calling an end to his global career with Argentina.
“We started this tournament horribly, not how we wanted to play”, outside hitter Taylor Sander said. “We formed part of something unique we did for our country and it’s going to be there”.
But there on the top step of the medal podium were Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, claiming the second straight Olympic gold medal for their homeland and establishing it as a power in the beach volleyball world.
“They congratulated me and I’m very proud of their words”, Ginobili said. The Americans led 56-40 at halftime.
Perhaps a main reason for the tournament-low spread, the USA fell behind 19-9 with four minutes left in the opening quarter until timely buckets from Durant, George, and guard Klay Thompson swung the momentum and led to a 16-2 run and four-point lead after the first period.
Three-point plays by Cousins and Jimmy Butler around Durant’s 3-pointer in an 11-0 start to the second made it 36-21 before Facundo Campazzo stopped the onslaught with a three-point play.
The U.S. starting lineup, which featured DeAndre Jordan instead of DeMarcus Cousins at center on Wednesday, is potent offensively.
The U.S. victory sets up a compelling semifinals matchup between the US and Spain, which trounced France 92-67 in the quarterfinals.
But it has never won gold at the Olympics, losing to the U.S.in the final game at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.
The loudest crowd yet for a USA game, filled with chanting, flag-waving Argentina fans, boxer Floyd Mayweather and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, was treated to an explosive performance by the Americans, with devastating crossovers by Durant and Kyrie Irving that left defenders helpless and brought teammates to their feet on the bench. He scored 18 in the first half and sank 7 of 9 3-pointers for the game. “We fed off wanting to play better than we did the last three games”.
Ginobili was replaced a few minutes later, hugging teammates, coaches and after the game Krzyzewski, before returning to the court after the teams had headed to their locker rooms to be presented a game ball by an Olympic official.
Defending champion United States and European champion Spain booked a Rio Olympic semi-final showdown of National Basketball Association stars with triumphs Wednesday while Australia, boasting four National Basketball Association champions, earned a last-four date with Serbia.
But once play began, the USA rarely played up to those expectations, with one narrow victory after another as the competition toughened.
And while the U.S.is still the favorite to win gold, the Americans have been vulnerable in close victories against Australia, Serbia and France in Rio.
Carmelo Anthony and Durant may get most of the spotlight at these Olympics – and rightfully so – for their shooting, but Paul George’s defense has been huge for the US.
Advertisement
“The only thing we really changed was our passion and our energy”, said Kevin Durant, who had a game-high 27 points and later added, “Guys took it personal coming into tonight’s game”. Rebounds-United States 51 (P. George 8), Argentina 35 (L. Scola 10). Andreas Nocioni canned a three-pointer with 4:02 left in the quarter and stunningly, the South American side were up 19-9.
