BEIJING — Carmelo Anthony was hacked so loud you could hear it in Shanghai. U.S. teammate LeBron James started yapping at Australian hacker Mark Worthington, who got in James’ famous face, while the officials broke up the ruckus.
The Aussies did not back down from America today in the first half, the first test the U.S. team received in these Olympics.
But Team USA erupted in the third quarter, thanks to some nifty plays by the Nuggets’ Anthony, and America won again, 116-85. The Redeem Team is headed to the Olympic semifinals Friday, with the medal games Sunday in Beijing.
Anthony, who played his best game against Spain last week, again rose the challenge. Against the Aussies in today’s elimination game, Anthony scored 15 in 19 minutes, grabbing five rebounds, too.
“Every game we play is a test,” Anthony said, “and tonight was a test mentally and physically. They tried to throws some elbows, played physical with us, and we never backed down.”
The first half had the vibe of an NCAA Tournament 8-versus-9 game, not 1-16. Yes, the U.S. went to the locker room up 55-43, thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Deron Williams. But the half was thrilling, notably with Aussie Patrick Mills dicing the U.S. defense. The little guard from the little U.S. college St. Mary’s (Calif.), scored eight first-half points, including an off-balanced layup, while being fouled, to cut the American lead to 25-24 at the end of the first quarter.
And in the second quarter, Mills sped down the court, attacked U.S. post Chris Bosh, faked a pass to the left and went under Bosh to the left for a layup.
“I’m just glad my Duke team doesn’t play St. Mary’s next season, I’ll tell you that,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said.
But the U.S. had 13 first-half offensive rebounds, compared to Australia’s two — the key stat that kept America afloat in the first half.
James, clearly the MVP of this U.S. team, scored 16 points with a game-high nine rebounds.
Kobe Bryant finished with a team-high 25, but struggled in the first half to find his jump shot, which buried the Nuggets, Jazz and Spurs in the playoffs. Bryant shot 4-for-10 in the half, but missed all his attempts at outside shots.
But it was Lakers’ Bryant who ignited the U.S. in the third, hitting a 3-pointer to start the third, his first of four 3s in the half. Anthony followed with another 3, and America led 61-43. After three quarters, it was 89-61, and Michael Redd started getting antsy at the end of the American bench.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
