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Agence France-Presse

NBA star Kevin Durant scored 27 points and defending champion the United States advanced to the Olympic Games semi-finals by beating Argentina 105-78 on Wednesday to book a date with revenge-hungry Spain.
The Americans stretched their Olympic win streak to 23 games and their 10-year overall win streak to 74 since losing to Greece in the 2006 World Championship semi-finals in Japan.
After their slimmest wins in the Olympic streak – three-point group stage triumphs over France and Serbia – their NBA stars 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.”

European champion Spain routed France 92-67 to reach a Friday semi-final 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.”
Cracks appearing: US men’s basketball team survive Serbia scare to stay unbeaten at Olympic Games
Australia beat Lithuania 90-64 and will face either Serbia or Croatia in the other semi-final.
Patty Mills scored 24 points, Aron Baynes had 16 and Matthew Dellavedova added 15 as the trio – who have all won the NBA – sparked an Australia side seeking their first Olympic medal.
“We have set the goal of winning the gold medal. Today was just another step in the journey,” Dellavedova said.
WATCH: golden moments on Day 12 at the Rio Olympics


“We’re going to have to work hard for it but that’s something we’re willing to do.”
Forward Nikola Mirotic scored 23 points to ignite Spain, which must oust the US for another chance at gold.
“We know it’s going to be a tough match-up,” Spain guard Jose Calderon said.
Argentina jumped ahead 19-9 after six minutes, relying on the game’s shortest man, 5ft 11in guard Facundo Campazzo, for eight points early.
Durant saved a poor US start while his teammates shot 3-of-12 from the floor. The Americans settled for outside jumpers, passed rarely and were outplayed before a timeout, but then everything changed.

Led by @KDTrey5, the #USABMNT took down #ARG punching their ticket to the semifinals! https://t.co/MJPJonIZrk pic.twitter.com/4jG2YuUHgd
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 18, 2016

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.
“We started a little sluggish, recognised the mistake and came out with more energy,” Cousins said.
Dream team shines: USA men romp past China 119-62 in Olympic basketball opener
The US 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 had 17 points and Cousins 15, while Luis Scola led Argentina with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Australia’s best Olympic finish is fourth after losing the bronze medal games to the US 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 last 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.




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Rio 2016 Olympic Games

We got our swagger back: US earn Spain semi-final as NBA stars shine in Argentina rout at Olympic Games

Paul George scores during the men's Basketball quarter-final against Argentina. Photo: AFP

epa05494279 USA's Kevin Durant drives the ball during the men's Basketball quarter final match between the USA and Argentina of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 17 August 2016. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH

epa05494529 USA's Jimmy Butler (L) and Argentina's Luis Scola in action during the men's Basketball quarter final match between the USA and Argentina of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 17 August 2016. EPA/JORGE ZAPATA

epaselect epa05493052 Ryan Broekhoff (R) of Australia in action with Adas Juskevicius of Lithuania during the men's Basketball quarter final basketball match between Australia and Lithuania of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 17 August 2016. EPA/JORGE ZAPATA

China dumped out: Serbia win 94-60 to advance in Rio men’s basketball competition

Serbia came out well on top against a below-par China. Photo: AFP

epa05486186 Qi Zhou (L) of China is challenged by Nikola Jokic of Serbia during the men's basketball game of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 14 August 2016. EPA/JORGE ZAPATA

China star Yi Jianlian and LA Lakers in advanced talks, says report

Yi Jianlian prepares to jump for a basket against Serbia in group play at the Olympics in Rio. Photo: AFP

epa05460218 USA's Kyrie Irving (R) drives past China's Jianlian Yi in the first half of their men's basketball game of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 August 2016. EPA/JORGE ZAPATA

False alarm: China men’s basketball team deny reports of encountering Rio fatal shooting

Photos purportedly show the scene following a shooting along one of the highways from the airport in Rio to the Athletes’ Village. Photo: Weibo

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The defending champions recorded a 105-78 win in the men’s basketball competition quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro


We got our swagger back: US earn Spain semi-final as NBA stars shine in Argentina rout at Olympic Games

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The defending champions recorded a 105-78 win in the men’s basketball competition quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro

The defending champions recorded a 105-78 win in the men’s basketball competition quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro