The United States advanced to the semifinals as they defeated Australia 119-86. LeBron James finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for the triple-double. It was not all about the points as he helped the U.S. get back on track after almost giving up a big lead.
LeBron was not the only one to put on a show. Kobe went crazy in the third and fourth quarters after struggling in the first half
Kobe Bryant lit it up in the second half after not scoring any points in the third. At one point he hit three consecutive threes. The threes ballooned his point total to 20 as he finished 6-10 from three, giving the U.S. a comfortable lead. He finished with the game high.
Deron Williams finished with 18 points and Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 17.
As a unit, the U.S. took 46 threes, while only taking 40 shots from two-point range. Combined with 19 threes and 18 turnovers by Australia, Team USA put this one away after a scare in the beginning of the third quarter.
Team USA started the second half with a 56-42 lead. Australia went on an 11-0 run in the third quarter cutting the lead to just three points.
Durant got the U.S. back on track with a three-pointer, cooling the Australian attack.
The score was just 84-70 in the fourth quarter, but a flurry of turnovers put the game out of reach for the Australians.
The U.S. scored 35 points in the last quarter ensuring their advancement into the Men's Basketball Semifinals.
They will face Argentina.
