Coming into Wednesday’s Quarterfinal Olympic game between Australia and the United States, four San Antonio Spurs players had already been eliminated from Olympic play.
Patty Mills (26 points) joined his Spurs teammates Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Nando De Colo, and Tiago Splitter after 40 minutes of play against the U.S, as the U.S. exploded in the fourth quarter for a 119-86 rout of Australia.
LeBron James (11 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists) had a triple-double, and Kobe Bryant scored all of his 20 points in the second half, as the American’s continued to display in these Olympics that no matter how much they can struggle at times, it just takes a few made baskets to go on a surging run and blow a game open.
Here’s the rundown.
First quarter: Australia (AUS) 21, United States (US) 28
Player of the quarter (AUS): Mills – Mills began the first with Bryant defending him. He used screens and his quickness to escape Bryant as he scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the first quarter. As his team earned trips to the free throw line, they didn’t take advantage of the bonus, as Australia only made 5-of-12 first quarter free throws.
Player of the quarter (USA): Kevin Durant, James – As he had come into the game shooting 61% from 3-point range, Durant (14 points) scored 9 points in the first quarter all from distance. James paced the team with six rebounds and three assists.
Second quarter: AUS 42, USA 56
Player of the quarter (AUS): Brad Newley, David Andersen, Joe Ingles – Newley (10 points), Andersen (11 points), and Ingles (19 points) helped Australia stay under 20 points in the second, as Newley poured six points in the second, while Andersen and Ingles had combined for 16 points by the half.
Player of the quarter (USA): Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, James – Williams (18 points) and Anthony (17 points) helped the U.S. hold a steady lead in the second as Williams shot a high percentage for 13 points, while Anthony added eight points in the second quarter. James guided U.S.A. to the end of the quarter as he was up to seven points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
Mills at the half: Mills missed all of his four shots in the second quarter, but he added two points at the free throw line. He was leading Australia in scoring with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting.
Third quarter: AUS 70, USA 84
Player of the quarter (AUS): Mills, Ingles – Mills and Ingles helped Australia begin the third quarter with an 8-0 run, as they got the U.S. lead down to just three points. The U.S. multiple scorers were able to stretch the lead back into double-figures, but the Australians as a whole matched the U.S. in scoring as both teams scored 28 points in the third quarter.
Mills scored seven points in the quarter, to finish the third with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Ingles scored 10 points in the third, to also help Australia with 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting after three.
Player of the quarter (USA): Bryant, James – After Australia came out with the 8-0 run, Bryant was a force in helping the United States stop the run and stretch their lead, as Bryant had eight points in the quarter. James once again guided the U.S. to close the quarter, as he had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists after the third quarter.
Fourth quarter: AUS 86, USA 119
Player of the quarter (AUS): Mills – Mills had one important 3-pointer when the game was still below 20 points early in the fourth, but he scored the rest of his seven fourth quarter points when the game was already decided. Mills finished with 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting, six rebounds, two assists, four turnovers, and two steals.
Player of the quarter (USA): Bryant – Bryant made three 3-pointers in a row to stretch the U.S. lead to 27 points midway through the fourth. Bryant went to the bench with four minutes remaining, he had not only opened the game up, but he scored all of his 20 points in the second half by making 6-of-10 three pointers.
For Mills and Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown, they too are done with summer play as they will rest until it’s time to get back to work in the NBA with the Spurs.
Manu Ginobili is the lone Spur remaining in the Olympics, he and Argentina will face the U.S. on Friday in the Semifinals.
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