Few days after the US basketball team demolished Nigeria's D'Tigers, the Americans got a real test against Lithuania, and perhaps, maybe they are not as extra-ordinary as we thought.
This is coming after running and gunning to a record-shattering 83-point win against Nigeria, the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team had to come back in the fourth quarter for a 99-94 win over a fearless Lithuania team that had the Americans in serious trouble until the closing minutes.
LeBron James scored 9 of his 20 points in the final four minutes for the U.S. (4-0), which had looked nearly invincible in thrashing Nigeria 156-73 on Thursday night and breaking several records. But the Americans were reminded that the path to the gold medal is loaded with traps and Lithuania nearly sprang one.
Carmelo Anthony added 20 points, Kevin Durant 16 and Chris Paul added seven rebounds, six assists and four of the U.S. team's 17 steals.
Linas Kleiza scored 25 to lead Lithuania, which led by 84-82 with 5:50 to play. After the U.S. took a three-point lead, Lithuania would not go away and pulled within 87-86 on Darius Songaila's bucket with 4:12 left.
That's when James, who has already won an MVP trophy and NBA title this year, took control. He knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key, and after Paul stole the inbounds pass, James took a pass down the right side and delivered one of his trademark dunks, a basket that brought the American players off the bench and seemed to restore world basketball order.
After a basket by Deron Williams , on a possession Paul kept alive with an offensive rebound , James followed a Lithuania turnover with a left-handed layup, giving the U.S. a 97-88 lead and allowed the Americans to remain unbeaten , though no longer untested as they get ready for Argentina on Monday.
This wasn't easy, and that may be good in the long run for the Americans, who couldn't have helped but feel a little overconfident after Thursday's game when they made 29 3-pointers, scored 78 points in both halves and put on a breathtaking 40-minute display of international basketball. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Nonsense, I thought they are invisible, why dont they defeat Lithuania as they did to Nigeria. Pride goes before a fall. I was expecting 153 score margin like against Nigeria. Lets see how it goes against Argentina on Monday!
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