LONDON (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 28 points — 17 during a stunning, long-range shooting display in the third quarter — and the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team blasted into the medal round with a 126-97 win over Argentina on Monday night.
It was a game that included taunting, finger-pointing and technical fouls.
The Americans (5-0) led by only one point at halftime before outscoring Argentina 42-17 in the third to take control. Durant made five 3s in the period, one from 28 feet. The period ended with U.S. forward Carmelo Anthony making a 3 and getting knocked down by Argentina’s Facundo Campazzo, enraging the U.S. bench.
LeBron James scored 18 points but spent most of the second half on the bench with four fouls.
The U.S. will play Australia in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
Manu Ginobili scored 16 for Argentina (3-2), which will play Brazil in the first game of single-elimination play.
