USA thump Argentina 126-97 to top Group A – First Half Breakdown – Olympics Men Basketball
Coming in from a tough win against Lithuania in their last outing, team USA had a point to prove in their last matchup of Group A against Argentina.
The South Americans provided a stiff challenge but were brushed aside by the exploits of Kevin Durant who came to life in the third quarter and scripted a 29 point rout for team USA.
Both sides got off to a good start to the game as the scores remained close in the early stages. The Americans were able to put some kind of day light between them and their opponents but a quick 7-0 burst from Argentina saw them
take a 15-14 lead.
Near the close of the first quarter there was not much to separate the two teams but with 7 seconds remaining in the stanza, Manu Ginobili knocked down two free throws to give Argentina a 1 point lead. On the following possession
though, Kevin Durant connected from long range for his third triple of the night and gave the Americans a 34-32 lead.
A 4-0 run to start the second half saw team USA extend their advantage to 6 points. However the Argentineans were not going away that easy and by the 3:37 mark of the second period they were able to take a one point lead on a three
point play, 48-47.
Chris Paul took matters into his hand and scored the next five points for team USA, snatching the lead right back for his team. The remaining proceedings of the first half saw things remain very close and with 0.01 seconds left
till the break, LeBron James knocked in a deuce to give team USA a three point lead.
However Manu Ginobili drew a quick foul on James as time ran out. With no time remaining in the first half, Ginobili made his way to the free throw line to knock down two free throws and make the score 59-60 at the interval.
Chris Paul led the Americans with 14 points in the half, while KD scored all of his 9 points in the first quarter.
Ginobili had 10 points till the break.
Tags: