Team USA dominates Argentina in the third quarter to remain undefeated

Chris Paul
(Abaca via Si.com)

The United States' men's national basketball team defeated team Argentina 126-97 to remain undefeated in group play heading into Wednesday's quarterfinals.  Team USA had a very poor first half, its third consecutive subpar half following its historic 83 point drubbing of Nigeria.  At halftime the US led by only one, having ceded 59 points to the Argentines, and defensive effort was evidently lacking.  Argentina exploited the US's lackadaisical defense by spreading the ball to create open 3's, and getting the ball to the rim via backdoor cuts.  Manu Ginobili  had a brilliant first half for the blue and white, scoring 16 points and making full use of his dazzling array of crafty moves, including his patented eurostep.  Chris Paul's 14 first half points, among them 4 timely three pointers, kept the Americans in the game.

Kevin Durant (US Presswire)

As soon as the second half began, team USA opened the floodgates, outscoring Argentina 42-17 and demonstrating why it is the most feared team on the planet.  The US began the half by repeatedly posting up Lebron James, the best player on the planet and a mismatch regardless of who is trying to defend him.  Lebron bullied his way inside, scoring 9 of his 18 points in the 3rd quarter, and worked the ball out to shooters on the perimeter.  Kevin Durant caught fire in the quarter, draining 5 consecutive three pointers, and scoring 18 of his game high 28 points.  Durant, the NBA's leading scorer in three consecutive seasons, had previously stated that he was excited to take advantage of the shorter international three point line.  He put his scoring prowess on display for the world with his 8 for 9 shooting performance from downtown.  Carmelo Anthony, whose 37 points in the blowout win over Nigeria set an Olympic record, hit a buzzer beating three pointer at the end of the quarter, and fell over in agony after being punched in the groin by Argentina's point guard Facundo Campazzo.  Campazzo's cheap shot earned him scornful looks from many of the Americans, and an earful from Kobe Bryant.
Durant, James and team USA's swarming defense put the game out of reach by the time the 4th quarter rolled around.  One of the most incredible highlights from the game was a forceful dunk by Andre Iguodala in the second quarter that sailed through the net, bounced off his chest, went back up through the net, and was ruled a missed field goal.
Team USA will meet Australia in the quarterfinals of the Olympic tournament on Wednesday, while Argentina will face Brazil.  If the two sides each win their respective games they will face off in the semifinals on Friday.