RIO DE JANEIRO _ After three consecutive close games that made many doubt whether the U.S. was ripe for an upset in the knockout rounds, Team USA played perhaps its best game of the Olympics on Wednesday in a 105-78 victory over Argentina.
The U.S. advances to the semifinals on Friday when it will meet Spain, who defeated France earlier in the day.
Argentina started fast behind a raucous crowd that was singing and dancing through pre-game warmups and into the first quarter. The U.S. trailed 19-9, but after that the Americans were jolted awake. They scored 25 of the next 27 points and took a 56-40 lead into halftime.
Kevin Durant had the hot hand for the U.S. and scored 27 points.
