UPI en Español  |   UPI Asia  |   About UPI  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Sports News

Spain vs. USA in basketball final

|
 
Spain's Sergio Llull (L) dribbles past Russia's Andrei Kirilenko on the way to Spain defeating Russia, 67-59, during the Spain-Russia Men's Basketball Semi-Final competition, to advance to the final, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, August 10, 2012, in London, England. UPI/Mike Theiler
Spain's Sergio Llull (L) dribbles past Russia's Andrei Kirilenko on the way to Spain defeating Russia, 67-59, during the Spain-Russia Men's Basketball Semi-Final competition, to advance to the final, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, August 10, 2012, in London, England. UPI/Mike Theiler 
License photo
Published: Aug. 10, 2012 at 5:58 PM

LONDON, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Kevin Durant hit four 3-pointers in the third period Friday, powering the United States into the basketball gold medal game with a 103-89 win over Argentina.

The Americans will meet Spain in the championship game Sunday, a rematch of the title contest in Beijing four years ago. On that occasion Team USA delivered a 118-107 gold medal win after holding only a 2-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Spain reached the gold medal game by overcoming a halftime deficit to defeat Russia 67-50.

The United States had a 7-point lead at the break over Argentina, a team it defeated 126-97 in group play.

Durant then got hot from the outside on his way to scoring 19 points and by the end of the third period the American lead had grown to 17.

Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James both added 18 points for the United States, which shot 53 percent from the field. The Americans attempted more shots from outside the 3-point line (42) than they did from inside it (39).

Manu Ginobili paced Argentina with 18 points.

Jose Calderon hit two 3-pointers in a 14-1 fourth-quarter run to key the Spanish victory over Russia.

The Russians limited Spain to 20 points in the first half and appeared on their way to a second victory of these Olympics over the 2008 silver medal winners.

Spain then warmed up from 3-point range to overcome a 9-point deficit and tied it through three quarters, only to fall behind again by 3 with 9:13 remaining in the game.

Over the next 5 minutes the Russians could score only 1 point while Spain was storming to a 60-50 lead.

The Spanish made just 2-of-11 3-point tries in the first half and then hit 7-of-12 over the final two quarters.

Calderon made four of those while scoring 14 points. Spain was led by Pau Gasol with 16. Sasha Kaun paced Russia with 14 points.

When the teams met in group play early in the Olympics, Russia overcame a big early deficit to down Spain 77-74. Russia went 5-0 to win its group and then defeated Lithuania in the quarterfinals.

Topics: Jose Calderon, Paul Gasol, Sasha Kaun, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James
© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening NBC upfronts Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York Spire raised on top of One WTC 2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces
Additional Sports News Stories
1 of 13
138th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Mayland
View Caption
Race fans enjoy a shot in the infield during the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. Kentucky Derby winner Orb is looking for a Triple Crown possibility with a win today at Pimlico. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
fark
Two puppies devoured by king cobra after falling into well. Sorry, did I say devoured? I meant saved...
Home invader learns THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban looking for fan submissions for new uniforms. Surely Fark can...
Where eternal damnation for gays never made sense, Twitter users going to hell is perfectly reasonable...
Defense lawyers argue with Court over sentencing rapist cop who committed suicide in jail: "I can't...
America has found a way to pay for all that Chinese crap she buys. Soybeans. Ironic tag because...