OLYPMIC DAY 11 US BASKET RACE 4 GOLD

United States 126 Argentina 97: Dream Team continue gold medal 

 The United States wore down battling Argentina in the second half to lock up top spot in Group A with a 5-0 record.

Argentina matched the Americans blow-for-blow in a pulsating first half, trailing 60-59 at half-time.

But the Americans outscored them 42-17 in an incredible third quarter in which the red-hot Kevin Durant hit five three-pointers from increasing distance.

Unstoppable: The US team had to fight hard to overcome the Argentinians

Basket case: Andres Nocioni cuts through the American defence

Lift off: Luis Scola goes in for a lay-up as Tyson Chandler can only watch on

A huge shot from well outside the arc made it 85-68 midway through the quarter and his fifth of the period made it 93-74 with 1:52 left in the period.

When Carmelo Anthony's three made it 102-76 to end the third, Argentina seemed to take exception and several players clashed at midcourt, leading to technical fouls against both teams.

Early in the fourth, Russell Westbrook was called for a technical, apparently for his reaction to scoring a monster dunk that had made it 107-79.

But no amount of posturing from either team was going to change the result as the United States ran out big winners.

Team spirit: The US team know they remain on course to land the gold medal

 

Team GB 90 China 50: Deng and co sign off in style with first win at Games

In what coach Chris Finch said would be his last game in charge, he got one over his old BBL rival and current China coach Bob Donewald with a comfortable win.

Kieron Achara had an outstanding game for Britain with 16 points, making the most of extended playing time as Luol Deng slipped into early foul trouble and Pops Mensah-Bonsu sat with an injury.

Signing off: Luol Deng joins his British team-mates to celebrate their first win at the Games

Hang time: Deng drives for a shot attempt against Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi

Hands on: Eric Boateng (L) is guarded by China's Zhaoxu Zhang

Yet another three from Andrew Lawrence gave Britain a 46-31 lead at half-time.

China scored quick points through Zhou Peng and Yi Jianlian to start the second half, but Drew Sullivan's three midway through the third kept Britain's lead comfortable at 57-42.

Deng, who had for extended periods due to foul trouble, got his first points of the game with 5:13 left in the third period.

Reinking's three pushed the lead to 20, 65-45, late in the third and not long after Kyle Johnson swished a shot from the corner to make it 70-45.

Up in the air: Robert Archibald hangs from the basket after scoring with a slam dunk

Over and out: The thumping win over China was Britain;s last outing at the Olympics