The United States Men's Olympic Basketball team learned something today.

Come to play...because your opponent will.

Trailing by five points at halftime, the Americans finally got a little separation in the fourth quarter, en route to a 98-88 win over Australia to run its record to 3-0 in Group A.

Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points to surpass LeBron James as the all-time Olympic scorer to lead Team USA.  He stroked 9-15 from three point range enroute to game high honors. Kyrie Irving chipped in 19 points, while Kevin Durant added 14.

It was Carmelo's triple from the corner which gave the Americans some breathing room with about six minutes left, increasing their lead to 83-76.  Australia never got closer than five points after that.

Patty Mills lead  the Aussies with 30 points, while Andrew Bogut scored 15 and Matthew Dellavedova added eleven.

The Aussies shot a blistering 68 percent from the field in building their first half lead and finished with 50% overall.  Team USA shot just 39.1 percent in the contest, but hit 17-39 from beyond the arc (43.6%).  Team USA outrebounded Australia 47-40.

The 54-49 halftime deficit Team USA was its first in the Olympics since the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, when Argentina led at intermission in the semis enroute to a stunning upset.

Team USA is now 8-0 all time versus Australia in the Olympics.  They'll face Serbia Friday.

 

 

 

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