You can read Les Carpenter’s report on tonight’s game here:
Considering the competition, that was Team USA’s best game of the tournament -- especially on the defensive end. When the U.S. reversed its deficit and then pulled away in the first half, it was fueled by defensive pressure leading to easy buckets.
Argentina’s Olympic run (which started in 2004) is over, while Team USA moves on to play Spain in the semifinals.
Spain routed France 92-67 today behind 23 points from Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls. It will be the USA’s toughest test so far and they’ll need to keep improving on defense to move on. Barring more defensive improvement, Kevin Durant making almost every shot he takes again could work.
Thanks for following the liveblog.
Updated
Final score: USA 105-78 Argentina
Argentina started strong in the first quarter, building a 19-9 lead, but were dominated from then on. The U.S. closed the game on a 96-59 “run.”
That’s the end of the international careers for Ginobili, Scola, Nocioni and Delfino. Argentina’s 2020 team will look very different.
Ginobili is very emotional as he waves to the fans. He’s done as an international player, but we’ll get him for one more year in the NBA.
USA 102-76 Argentina, 1:12 4th quarter
Ginobili is the first to get pulled from the game and gets a much deserved ovation.
USA 96-73 Argentina, 2:30 4th quarter
The game isn’t officially over. But Harrison Barnes is in for the U.S., so the game is over.
USA 96-71 Argentina, 3:10 4th quarter
Argentina still has Ginobili, Nocioni, Scola and Delfino in the game. They came in together and they’re going to go out together.
Argentina's getting blown out, but their fans won't stop singing. pic.twitter.com/trjiQAqzhN
— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) August 17, 2016
The U.S. players look confused by all the singing. Perhaps because in America, if you lose you are booed and torn apart on social media. Argentina does it better.
USA 94-67 Argentina, 5:30 4th quarter
Argentina is going to lose, but their fans are loudly (and happily) singing and chanting the final minutes away. Their Big Four have had amazing careers, and they deserve to be applauded in their final Olympic game.
USA 93-65 Argentina, 6:20 4th quarter
The lead is not diminishing. Part of the reason is that Argentina is still not hitting enough from three. After going 3-for-11 in the first half, they’re just 4-for-14 in the second half.
Updated
USA 91-63 Argentina, 8:43 4th quarter
Paul George scores a tough bucket underneath -- he now has 15 points -- and the U.S. has a 28-point lead, the biggest of the night. It seems like years ago (2004-ish) that Argentina had a 10-point lead.
Team USA’s bench remains hilarious. Help me out. Who threw their towel in the air and missed the swing? pic.twitter.com/oAeWeYs2b7
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) August 17, 2016
End of the 3rd quarter: USA 87-61 Argentina
That quarter was about Durant and rebounds. The U.S. bested Argentina on the boards, 18-10, in the third. Ginobili, especially, is still giving it his all, but the U.S. just has too much.
USA 85-61 Argentina, 0:40 3rd quarter
The U.S. got to 27 points on a Paul George bucket, the biggest lead of the game, but Scola responded with a three.
USA 83-58 Argentina, 1:33 3rd quarter
Durant from three. Again. He has been so good in this game. He has 27 points on 7-for-10 shooting from three to go along with 6 assists.
If Durant wasn’t playing like this, Argentina would’ve had a chance. But that’s the thing about Team USA: they have so much talent, that someone has stepped up big and been unconscious in every game. No other team has that luxury.
Updated
USA 78-58 Argentina, 2:37 3rd quarter
A three-point play on a tough drive down the lane by Ginobili gets it back to 20. Argentina immediately create a turnover, but couldn’t convert in transition. That could have been big.
USA 76-55 Argentina, 4:04 3rd quarter
Argentina is playing much better on the offensive end than they did during the entire middle of the first half, but they’ve not been able to chip away at the lead yet. Down to just 14 minutes left in the game.
USA 74-53 Argentina, 5:45 3rd quarter
The U.S. players aren’t happy with Campazzo’s rough play on the defensive end. Maybe Kyrie Irving will call him the “Argentine Dellavedova” after the game.
USA 73-53 Argentina, 6:20 3rd quarter
As expected, Argentina has come out shooting threes to try to get back into the game. Ginobili hit his second of the half and then Scola dropped in one of his own.
USA 71-47 Argentina, 7:05 3rd quarter
The USA’s athleticism just showed up in a big way. DeAndre Jordan was blocked twice underneath, one of them out of bounds. So the U.S. ran an inbounds play that had Jordan jumping high above the rim and throwing one down.
Tonight’s scoring:
USA - 64
Argentina - 44
USA (without Durant) - 40
Durant - 24
Second half underway!
USA 64-43 Argentina, 8:36 3rd quarter
Durant opens up hot with two more threes. He is now 6-for-8 from three on the night.
Updated
Further evidence of the good start Argentina had in this game: Carmelo Anthony, DeAndre Jordan, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving -- four of Team USA’s five starters -- shot 3-for-14 in the half.
The U.S. bench was 11-for-17.
This is regarding NBC’s halftime analysis of problems the U.S. could face against Spain.
"You can get away with that kind of offense against Argentina, but not against Pau Gasol."
— Joseph Flynn (@ChinaJoeFlynn) August 17, 2016
Somebody hasn't seen Pau defend in a while.
True. If we’re basing things off of how people were in 2004, this U.S. team is going to lose tonight to Argentina.
Argentina’s best chance in this game was to light it up from three and not get destroyed on the boards. So far the grade is a C-minus.
Argentina is only 3-for-11 from three and well off their pace of 32 attempts per game, and they’re trailing 22-16 in rebounds.
But if Argentina can get hot from three in the second half, that 16-point deficit could be trimmed quickly.
Kevin Durant has been fun to watch in this game. He’s known mainly as a score -- and he’s been doing that in this game, with a game-high 18 points -- but he’s been making plays all over. The man has point guard skills in a 7-foot body with an even bigger wingspan. Not fair.
Halftime: USA 56-40 Argentina
The U.S. had a 25-point lead with just over two minutes to play in the half, but Argentina closed on an 11-2 run. They were very good at the start and end of the half. The middle parts? Not so much.
USA 56-40 Argentina, 0:18 2nd quarter
That’s four more quick points by Argentina. A team with this kind of pride doesn’t go easily.
USA 56-36 Argentina, 1:00 2nd quarter
Nocioni hits a three to get it back to 20 points. If Argentina keep it here or get closer in the final minute, the second half will be a lot more interesting.
USA 56-33 Argentina, 1:35 2nd quarter
Kyle Lowry hits a three in transition off of a nice kick-out by Durant. This is -- by far -- the best defensive effort of the Games by the U.S. Argentina is looking increasingly rushed and chaotic on offense.
Updated
USA 49-27 Argentina, 3:30 2nd quarter
After a timeout, Argentina turns the ball over and then the U.S. turns the ball over and then Argentina turns the ball over. Whatever was talked about during the timeout didn’t quite work.
USA 47-27 Argentina, 4:55 2nd quarter
Paul George hits a three, continuing his great game. Luis Scola is now on the bench for Argentina with three fouls. That’s a big problem, because he is their best big. The U.S. currently has a 19-9 rebound advantage.
USA 42-27 Argentina, 6:00 2nd quarter
And Argentina’s run quickly ends. Kyrie Irving is having his way with Campazzo at the moment on the offensive end.
USA 36-27 Argentina, 7:15 2nd quarter
Okay. Here we go. Back-to-back buckets by Argentina, the latest by Delfino, ends the bleeding a bit.
Updated
USA 36-21 Argentina, 8:00 2nd quarter
Oooh, boy. This is ugly now. Turnover after turnover by Argentina gives the U.S. a 15-point lead. They’re on a 27-2 run since Argentina was up 19-9. Have mercy.
Updated
USA 30-21 Argentina, 9:00 2nd quarter
Ugly start to the second quarter by Argentina: two turnovers and still no answer for Cousins inside.
Updated
These Argentinians are great basketball players, but their acting needs work. What a ridiculous sell. @DJGalloEtc
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) August 17, 2016
True, but so far the officials have not minded the acting. There’s no accounting for taste.
End of the 1st quarter: USA 25-21 Argentina
The U.S. was down 10 points at 19-9, but closed on a 16-2 run. The score has to be a bit disappointing for Argentina: they got off to a great start and shot 59% from the floor in the quarter, but are trailing by 4 points.
As expected, the U.S. is dominating the boards: 13-5.
Durant lead the U.S. with 13 points and 4 assists. Campazzo has 8 points for Argentina on 4-for-4 shooting.
Updated
USA 25-21 Argentina, 0:30 1st quarter
Two more for Cousins on a beautiful feed inside by Durant. The (new) Warriors star has been the best player on the court in the first quarter.
USA 23-21 Argentina, 1:20 1st quarter
It’s now a 14-2 run by the Americans. They have their first lead of the game after Cousins bulls over Scola in the post.
Argentina 21-19 USA, 2:26 1st quarter
A three by Durant gets the U.S. a bit closer. He now has 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
The crowd has plenty of USA fans in attendance, but it’s much louder so far when Argentina is going well. If the game stays close down the stretch, the crowd will definitely be on Argentina’s side.
Argentina 19-16 USA, 3:04 1st quarter
Argentina had it to 19-9 on a three by Nocioni, but the U.S. has quickly reeled off 7 quick points, the last coming on a steal and dunk by Paul George. This is what the U.S. has been lacking: defense that creates offense.
Argentina 14-9 USA, 4:38 1st quarter
Paul George scores underneath after the U.S. gets three offensive rebounds in the same possession.
Argentina has opened 7-for-10 from the floor. But it’s not like they’re knocking down jumpers. They’re taking the U.S. to the hole again and again.
Argentina 14-7 USA, 5:35 1st quarter
Ginobili splits the D for a nice reverse layup. This isn’t the USA defense struggling with motion or back-screens. This is just them getting taken to the hoop by everyone Argentina has on the floor.
Argentina 12-7 USA, 5:56 1st quarter
Durant hit a three, but turned the ball over on the next possession and Campazzo scored ... and then he scores again right away on a nice floater on the very next possession.
This guy is a tough, quick player and he is only 25. Look for an NBA team to be calling him after this tournament.
Updated
Argentina 6-2 USA, 7:45 1st quarter
Two more for Scola in the low post after backing DeMarcus Cousins down. The US offense has had back-to-back turnovers. Maybe Charles Barkley was right.
Argentina 4-2 USA, 8:30 1st quarter
Luis Scola gets Argentina on the board with a nice drive down the lane and then Campazzo does the exact same thing on the next possession. Bad, but not unexpected, start for the U.S. defense.
Updated
Tip-off!
USA 2-0 Argentina, 9:45 1st quarter
U.S. gets the tip and Kevin Durant is quickly fouled and converts two free throws.
We don’t have one yet, but expect a lot of threes in this game: Argentina is putting up 32 a game and the U.S. 27.
We’re about to tip-off. If Argentina loses, it will likely be the last Olympic games for Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino. They’ve each played in four Olympics and should get a nice big statue (or four) in Argentina when their careers are over.
Facu Campazzo has led Argentina in scoring so far in the tournament, averaging 16.4 ppg from the point guard position and shooting 40% from three. The U.S. is led by Kevin Durant’s 16.8 ppg. He has been fairly consistent throughout the Games, but the U.S. has also gotten big games along the way from Carmelo Anthony and Klay Thompson.
If the U.S. struggles again on D and doesn’t get a huge night out of any of its star shooters, that’s Argentina’s best path to a victory.
The U.S. and Argentina played less than a month ago in an exhibition in Las Vegas. The U.S. won 111-74 thanks to dominating on the boards, 53-30.
That will be Argentina’s biggest problem today. They can play better than they did back on July 22nd. Sure. But they’re not any bigger.
Australia legend Andrew Gaze on the prospect of Team USA not winning gold:
“When you see the way international players are having an impact on the NBA, it’s now at the very least conceivable to think of a scenario whereby you could be very competitive. We’re at a stage where an accident can happen. Whereas, I think, if you go back to ‘92, I mean, we were just there trying to get an autograph.”
As autographs go, if you could only have one, would you want Harrison Barnes’ or Manu Ginobili’s? Yeah, easy choice.
Team USA’s offense hasn’t exactly been flawless in the Olympics, but they did put up 94 or more points in all five group games. The issue for Mike Krzyzewski’s team has been on the defensive end.
Yet Charles Barkley, speaking to Sports360AZ.com, said the team’s problem is offense, not defense.
“It’s not a good team to put together. If you take away DeAndre Jordan, every guy on that team is a ball-dominant guy. You see them playing a lot of one-on-one basketball. When they put that team together in the future, they have to realize we can’t have just really, really great offensive players. They gotta have players that if they don’t get a shot, they’re not just gonna stand around and mope.”
This feels like another example of Barkley sharing an opinion without actually watching the games. Or maybe he watches the games, but shares opinions he simply thinks will get noticed. If the latter is the case, job well done again, Charles!
Welcome to the liveblog for the USA-Argentina men’s basketball quarterfinal game.
Team USA’s aura of invincibility is completely gone after struggling in its last three games -- 3-point wins over both France and Serbia after a close victory over Australia -- and now they play Argentina, the last non-American team to win men’s gold.
On the surface, it looks like the U.S. is ripe to be upset. But this isn’t the same Argentina team of 2004 ... or, depending on how you look at it, it is very much the same team of 2004: Manu Ginobili and friends are all 12 years older and look it. Argentina went 3-2 in group play and does not enter the quarterfinals as a medal favorite.
Please feel free to participate in the liveblog by e-mailing me at dj.gallo.casual@theguardian.com or tweet to @DJGalloEtc.
DJ will be here shortly. In the meantime, read how USA avoided calamity against France in their final group game:
Well, what did we learn from today’s game? Honestly, not much that we didn’t already know. This is a US team that’s clearly more talented than their opponents, but they’re not invulnerable. If they don’t play better in the upcoming elimination games, it wouldn’t even be a huge upset if they get knocked out at some point. In back to back games, the US have been able to survive partly because time ran out on their opponent’s comeback attempt. It’s probably particularly troubling that France was able to pressure them all game without Tony Parker playing a single second.
Maybe this is a tad too gloomy. With the win, the US has secured the top seed in the group and one has to think that they’ll raise their game once the real tournament play begins. We’ll see.
