Olympic Basketball 2012: Team USA Downs Argentina In Group Stage Finale

The stage is all set and the United States clearly has the inside track to the gold medal. Today’s dominant victory over Argentina reassured anyone who had concerns coming off of the close call with Lithuania.

In a game that was closely contested for the first half, Team USA showed all its dominance during a triumphant third quarter.

Once again it was LeBron James stepping up when his team (dare I say country?) needed him most. James is starting to get more comfortable in the closer roll and his 9 points in the third helped get the fuse lit for the United States.

However it was Kevin Durant that really went off scoring 17 of his game-high 28 in the third frame. Overall Team USA outscored Argentina 42-17 in the third which effectively ended the game. A contest that was a one-point affair at the half suddenly became a laugher by the time the fourth quarter starter.

There was a brief bit of tension near the end of the third as Carmelo Anthony took exception to a hard foul. But in the end nothing was stopping Team USA in their 126-97 destruction of Argentina.

It was truly a total team effort as the U.S. got double figure efforts from 7 players including one Kobe Bryant who continues his shooting struggles in London. KB10 dropped 11 on 3 of 10 shooting.

No matter Bryant’s shooting woes this team is too stacked for one player’s struggles to affect the group. After a perfect romp through Group A, Team USA enters the quarterfinals as the overwhelming favorites to take the gold. They’ll start their gold medal quest on Wednesday against Australia.