US routs Argentina 105-78, moves into men’s basketball semis

If this roster can perform well, team U.S. might be in the same train during the London Games when Spain managed to ride a close gap to the end with just 107-100 win for the Americans.

It was also the best performance since a blowout win against Venezuela in the second game of pool play, with the Americans showing an increased effort, especially on the defensive end.

Argentina closed the half on a 9-0 run to cut the United States lead to 56-40 at halftime. “I thought we did”, USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

The Americans had a slow start but utilized a 27-2 first half run to take full control of the game. They face Spain, a team that has given them fits in the last two gold medal games, in Friday’s semifinal.

Kevin Durant scores 27 points as Americans reach semifinals, where they will play Spain.

The answer might be nothing.

If not for Argentina, the United States might have remained a delusional basketball nation for a little longer.

“The only thing we really changed today”, Durant said, referencing earlier close calls to France and Serbia, “was our passion and energy”.

Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez said it has been a hard day for him, watching the 39-year-old guard he has known since childhood go through a last practice and Olympic game.

“He has driven the belief we’re good enough to win a gold medal”.

With only three National Basketball Association players on their roster – Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, former Toronto Raptor Luis Scola of the Brooklyn Nets and Nicolas Brussino of the Dallas Mavericks – Argentina simply couldn’t keep up. “We formed part of something unique we did for our country and it’s going to be there”. Failure to win a gold medal would be a blemish on what has been a mostly sterling rebuilding program they put into place 10 years ago.

“They congratulated me”, Ginobili said. “They were very kind, very respectful, and when legends of the game showed their respect, it has an extra value”.

Scola led Argentina with 15 points while Ginobli, in his final worldwide game, finished with 14. DeMarcus Cousins scored the final six points of the quarter to stake the Americans to a 25-21 lead after ten minutes.

The run was sparked in part by a US substitution that saw Paul George, Kyle Lowry, DeMarcus Cousins and Jimmy Butler replace all but Kevin Durant of the USA starters.

Playing 26 minutes in his final game, Ginobili finished with 14 points, seven assists and one steal.

The loudest crowd yet for a US 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.

“We felt that we always had another level we could go to after the last three games”, Durant said.

What is known in Argentinian basketball as the Golden Generation is a core of skilled and loyal players led by Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni and Luis Scola.

The Argentina fans, who dominated the crowd of 11,700 at Carioca Arena 1, never stopped cheering.

“It gives me goosebumps talking about it and thinking about it because those are the plays that we’re all making for each other”, said Christenson, one of eight USA first-time Olympians. This time they have been tested to their limits with games with Australia, Serbia and France, all of which gave team United States of America hard-fought games that resulted to wins that came down through the wire. Harrison Barnes capped the scoring with a long range three to make the final score 105-78 and send the USA swiftly into the semifinals at the top of their game.

“They pushed us”, Anthony said. Rebounds-United States 51 (P. George 8), Argentina 35 (L. Scola 10). The United States responded, going on a 7-0 run to cut the Argentine lead to 19-16.