Olympics: US earn Spain hoops semi as Aussies get Serbia
NBA star Kevin Durant scored 27 points and defending champion United States advanced to the Rio Olympics semi-finals by ripping Argentina 105-78 Wednesday, booking a date with revenge-hungry Spain.
Defending champion United States and European champion Spain booked a Rio Olympic semi-final showdown of NBA stars with triumphs Wednesday while Australia, boasting four NBA champions, earned a last-four date with Serbia.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points to power the Americans over Argentina 105-78, stretching their Olympic win streak to 23 games and their 10-year overall win streak to 74.
After their slimmest wins in the Olympic streak -- three-point group-stage triumphs over France and Serbia -- the US millionaire lineup started slow but showed top form against a veteran foe.
"I think we got our swagger back," US guard Paul George said. "We were confident shooting, we were aggressive, we kept our poise."
Spain routed France 92-67 to book a Friday semi-final rematch with a USA side that beat them 107-100 in the 2012 Olympic final and 118-107 for 2008 gold.
"We face them everyday in the NBA," Spain guard Ricky Rubio said. "We know how tough it's going to be."
Australia dumped Lithuania 90-64 as NBA title winners Patty Mills scored 24 points, Aron Baynes had 16 and Matthew Dellavedova added 15 to pace a Boomers side seeking a first Olympic medal.
"We have set the goal of winning the gold medal. Today was just another step in the journey," Dellavedova said.
"We're going to have to work hard for it but that's something we're willing to do."
Serbia edged Croatia 86-83 as Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 14 of his 18 points in a third-quarter fightback that gave his team the lead for good.
Croatia, led by Bojan Bogdanovic's 28 points, pulled within 80-79 with 19 seconds remaining but Milos Teodosic and Nikola Jokic sank late free throws to secure Serbia's victory and date with Australia.
Spain's Nikola Mirotic scored 23 points but the Chicago Bulls forward will face fellow NBA defenders against the USA team the Spanish must oust for another chance at gold.
"We know it's going to be a tough matchup," Spain guard Jose Calderon said.
Argentina jumped ahead 19-9 after six minutes, relying on the game's shortest man, 1.81m (5ft 11in) guard Facundo Campazzo, for eight points early.
Durant shone but his teammates shot 3-of-12 from the floor and were outplayed before a timeout. Then everything changed.
'It was incredible'
The US outscored Argentina 27-2 over the next six minutes to seize command at 36-21, looking like the dominant force expected since the roster was named.
DeMarcus Cousins and Durant each scored nine points in the key span.
The USA led 56-40 at half-time and weren't threatened in the second half, even though screaming Argentine and cheering US fans created an electric atmosphere.
"It was incredible," Cousins said. "I've never been in a crowd like this before. At one point the building was shaking. That was unbelievable."
George added: "This is really top five. This is amazing.
"We didn't understand what they were saying but the environment was crazy."
George had 17 points and Cousins 15. Luis Scola led Argentina with 15 points and 10 rebounds in his last interntional game.
Australia's best Olympic finish is fourth, losing bronze medal games to the USA in 1988 and Lithuania in 1996 and 2000.
"We haven't gotten the recognition on the world stage because we haven't won anything. These guys are determined to change that," Australia coach Andrej Lemanis said.
Led by eight from Mills, Australia outscored Lithuania 20-3 in a key span for a 36-20 second-quarter lead and stayed securely ahead to the finish.
"We came out and threw the first punch," Mills said. "After that it was a matter of staying consistent and keeping them down."
Lithuania had played for bronze in five of the past six Olympics, winning three times.
"We weren't ready mentally," Lithuania guard Mantas Kalnietis said.
Tony Parker scored 14 points in his final game for France but a 16-6 run put Spain ahead 33-22, and they never looked back.
"We can only be mad at ourselves," French star Boris Diaw said.