United States NBA stars shattered the Olympic single-game scoring
record on Thursday, producing one of the greatest shooting performances
in basketball history in a 156-73 rout of Nigeria.
On a day when Spain and Russia clinched berths in the medal playoffs
with thrilling victories and France and Argentina took big steps toward
reaching the quarter-finals with triumphs, the American
multi-millionaires stole the show.
Carmelo Anthony scored 37 points, the most by any American player in
Olympic history in a game, and the New York Knicks’ playmaker’s 10-of-12
3-point shooting was also a US Olympic mark.
“When they shoot like this, I don’t know if there is any team that can beat them,” Nigeria’s Ike Diogu said.
The old Olympic record for points by a team in one game was set by
Brazil in 1988 at Seoul in a 138-85 preliminary round triumph over
Egypt.
“It’s a great achievement to get that record,” Anthony said. “Any
time you have a chance to reach a milestone, you have to take advantage
of it.”
The Americans also eclipsed their own Olympic team record for points
in a game, set in a 133-70 victory over China in 1996 at Atlanta.
Russell Westbrook added 21 points and Kobe Bryant had 16 on a night
when every US player scored and the team hit 59-of-83 from the field, a
team Olympic record 71 percent of its shots, including 29-of-46 from
3-point range.
“Just an incredible shooting performance,” US coach Mike Krzyzewski
said. “We just shot better in a game than any team I have ever coached.”
Despite a 3-0 start, the US men have not clinched a medal playoff
spot, although that is expected to come Saturday when they face
Lithuania.
Vitaliy Fridzon sank a 3-pointer from the left corner with four
seconds remaining to give Russia a dramatic 75-74 victory over Brazil in
a battle of unbeatens while reigning European champion Spain edged
winless Britain 79-78.
Jose Calderon led Spain with 19 points and sank crucial free throws
in the final seconds to hold off a late charge by minnows Britain, led
by 25 points from Joel Freeland and 23 from NBA Chicago Bulls star Luol
Deng.
“When you lose your focus and concentration, you really get in trouble,” Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said.
The win ensured Russia and Spain will advance from Group B. Brazil
will join them with one more win. Australia would advance by beating
Britain on Saturday.
Alexey Shved hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to pull Russia even at
72-72 with 26 seconds remaining. Marcelinho Huertas put Brazil ahead
with a layup with 6.1 seconds to play before Fridzon hit the game
winner.
“Wins like this give the team a lot of confidence,” Fridzon said. “We showed that we will never give up.”
Andrei Kirilenko scored 19 points to lead Russia while Timofey Mozgov
added 18 points and Shved finished with 17. Brazil was led by 16 points
from Leandrinho Barbosa.
“We should learn from this,” Huertas said. “They hit a very tough
shot. Maybe he shoots this shot 10 times and he would never hit it
again.”
NBA star guard Tony Parker scored 27 points to lead France over
Lithuania 82-74 while Manu Ginobili, Parker’s teammate on the NBA San
Antonio Spurs, netted 24 points as Argentina ripped winless Tunisia
92-69.
Both France and Argentina moved to 2-1 in Group A and each can secure playoff spots with a split of their last two games.
“It was really important to win,” French NBA standout Boris Diaw
said. “We are chasing a quarter-final place and we want to be as high up
the table as possible.”
Lithuania sunk to 1-2 and must face the Americans next.
“We’ve got to prepare for that game like we do for every game,”
Lithuania’s Martynas Pocius said. “It’s going to be a very tough game.
We’ve got to try.”
Even if they advance, the Lithuanians are looking at facing Spain or Russia in the quarter-finals.
“We’re not quitting,” Lithuanian coach Kestutis Kemzura said. “We want to use even the smallest chance.”
Argentine NBA sharpshooter Carlos Delfino scored 21 points and NBA
big man Luis Scola added 18 for Argentina, which won Olympic gold in
2004 at Athens and took a bronze medal four years ago in Beijing. Next
for Argentina is Nigeria.
“The next game is very important to us. It’s a game that’s going to clinch us a quarter-final,” Scola said.
Tunisia led 28-14 after the first quarter, but Ginobili sparked
Argentina to the first 15 points of the second quarter and after a 40-40
half-time deadlock the South Americans opened the third with a 23-6 run
over six minutes to romp.
Australia delivered a double blow to winless China’s playoff hopes
with an 81-61 triumph in which Chinese NBA star Yi Jianlian suffered a
right knee injury. Yi’s status was uncertain for the remainder of the
Olympics.
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