Team USA used a big first quarter and coasted to a 101-81 victory over Argentina in an Olympic semifinal Friday at Wukesong Indoor Stadium.
Spain defeated Lithuania, 91-86, in an earlier semifinal to advance to the gold-medal game against the Americans. In the preliminary round of Group B, the U.S. beat Spain, 119-82.
Without star player Manu Ginobli, Argentina cut a 21-point deficit to eight midway through the second quarter at the Beijing Games.
Argentina, which won the gold medal at the Athens Games in 2004, went to a 2-3 zone defense without Ginboli and whittled its deficit to eight points a second time.
Then Carlos Delfino fed Luis Scola for a layup to cut the Argentines' deficit to 46-40. Carmelo Anthony ended the second quarter with three free throws, for a 49-40 lead, after he was fouled on a deep shot attempt.
Argentina outscored the U.S., 27-19, in the second quarter. In six previous Olympic games, the U.S. lost only one quarter, the fourth in the opener against Angola.
The U.S. pulled away from Argentina to lead 30-11 after one quarter.
Argentina led, 4-3, when guard Jason Kidd hit a jumper to give Team USA the lead. Kidd improved his record against all international opponents to 50-0.
LeBron James followed that with a hesitation dribble-drive on the left side and then a soft banker, and Kobe Bryant sank a bank shot on the right side for a 9-4 edge.
Out of a timeout, Bryant, who turns 30 on Saturday, drilled a 3-point shot for a 12-4 advantage and what looked like another run-away victory for the U.S.
Two free throws by Chris Bosh, a fastbreak dunk by Bryant, a 3-pointer by Chris Paul and a fastbreak dunk by Paul stretched the U.S. run to 18 consecutive points for a 21-4 lead.
Argentina was hampered during that pummeling when Ginboli went down with a left foot injury with 3 minutes, 40 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Ligament damage in that foot nearly prevented Ginboli from playing in the Olympics. He grimaced on the bench, closing his eyes as he slowly untied his left shoe. He did not return to the game.
Argentina also played without Anders Nocioni, who limped on a sore right knee, for most of the second half.
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