With Team USA struggling to handle Australia in the first half, leading by only one point at quarter time and then by 12 after Deron Williams made a three pointer at the half time buzzer, Kobe Bryant turned up and put his team on his back in the second half, dominating his way to 25 points in 26 minutes to give the United States a 116-85 win. He sat out most of the fourth quarter.

America will now face the winner of the Argentina-Greece game later today for the right to play off for gold.

After being dominated in the third quarter, the Australians tried to make things respectable in the fourth, keeping pace with the Americans for the quarter until Tayshaun Price (9pts) hit a three for the final score of the game, making the final margin 31 points and giving the U.S. a 27-24 advantage.

LeBron James showed his usual strength when driving to the basket, finishing with 16 points to go with his team high 9 rebounds, while Carmelo Anthony was solid with 15 points in 19 minutes. Chris Bosh and Deron Williams had 10 apiece.

Just like they did in their pre-Olympic encounter, the Americans once again had trouble with the speed of guard Patrick Mills (20 points), who plays collegiate ball for St Mary's (California). Joe Ingles, who was a late withdrawal from the NBA Draft in June, made the most of his minutes, scoring 11 points on perfect shooting (3-3 3fg, 1-1 fg) in the fourth quarter after not playing in the first three. The Australian team lost Andrew Bogut (11mins, 4pts) , who was a non-factor in the first half, early in the third quarter.

Via RealGM

General Basketball, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets

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