Team USA Waltzes Past Australia 116-85; Olympic Semi-Finals Next

Posted by Jeff Sack under Slam Dunk Olympics Central

The Australian National team played Team USA tough for the first quarter Wednesday. But the Americans pulled away in the second and third periods, and it led to another pretty easy win for Team USA Wednesday as they defeated Australia 116-85. Team USA is now 6-0 in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and their next task will be to take on 2004 Gold Medal winners Argentina in the semi-finals.

Australia arguably played as well during the first quarter against the team from the United States, as anyone has so far in the Games. The Americans had a razor thin lead of 25-24 at the end of the period. But Team USA started to widen the gap in the second quarter as they had a 55-43 advantage as the two teams reached the half. The deficit for the Aussies grew even larger in the third quarter, as it was an 89-61 game heading into the final period. Australia was never a credible threat in the fourth.

Team USA shot 56.6% (43-76) from the floor for the game. Kobe Bryant led five players in double figures as he scored a game high 25 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block. LeBron James just missed a double-double, as he scored 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, Carmelo Anthony had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Deron Williams came off the bench and scored 10 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and Chris Bosh also scored 10 points coming off the pine, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist.

Patrick Mills led Australia as he scored 20 points, 3 steals, 2 assists. Team USA will next play Friday against Argentina for the right to play in the Championship game Sunday.

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