LONDON -- LeBron James turned away from his teammates gathered in the center circle and waved to the fans as if to say: "See you Sunday."

Right where the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team always expected to be, in the gold medal game, against the opponent it figured to see again.

"Anything less than this would have been unsatisfying for us," Carmelo Anthony said. "We believe that we could get here, and we're here now. We got one game left."

Kevin Durant scored 19 points, James and Anthony added 18 apiece, and the U.S. turned on its slamming-and-shooting spectacle in the second half to overwhelm Argentina for the second time in three games, 109-83, in the semifinals Friday night.

The U.S. will play Spain on Sunday, a rematch of the Americans' victory four years ago for the gold medal in Beijing.

"I think it's only right," James said. "Everyone said that this is the game they wanted to see. We look forward to it. We're happy as a team we're able to be back in this position. We've got to defend, we've got to rebound, we've got to share the ball."

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  • Kobe Bryant, Carlos Delfino

    United States' Kobe Bryant, right, pushes off Argentina's Carlos Delfino on a drive to the basket during a men's semifinals basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Kobe Bryant

    United States' Kobe Bryant, is defended by Argentina's Manu Ginobili, right, during a men's basketball semifinal game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • LeBron James

    US forward LeBron James is pictured during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Manu Ginobili

    Argentinian guard Emanuel Ginobili is pictured during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Carlos Delfino

    Carlos Delfino #10 of Argentina goes up for a shot against LeBron James #6 and Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States in the first half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Kobe Bryant

    Kobe Bryant #10 of United States shoots the ball over Luis Scola #4 of Argentina in the first half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Kobe Bryant

    Kobe Bryant #10 of United States dunks the ball over Andres Nocioni #13 of Argentina in the first half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Manu Ginobili

    Manu Ginobili #5 of Argentina looses the ball against Tyson Chandler #4 of United States in the first half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Luis Scola

    Luis Scola #4 of Argentina drives between Carmelo Anthony #15 and LeBron James #6 of United States in the first half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Luis Scola

    Argentinian forward Luis Scola (L) challenges US guard Kobe Bryant during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Luis Scola

    Argentinian forward Luis Scola (L) challenges US guard Kobe Bryant during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Tyson Chandler

    US centre Tyson Chandler jumps for the ball during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Manu Ginobili

    Argentinian guard Emanuel Ginobili (R) challenges US centre Tyson Chandler during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Luis Scola

    Argentinian forward Luis Scola (L) challenges US guard Kobe Bryant during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Carmelo Anthony

    Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States dunks the ball in the second quarter while taking on Argentina during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Kobe Bryant

    Kobe Bryant #10 of United States reacts in the second quarter while taking on Argentina during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • LeBron James, Chris Paul

    LeBron James #6 and Chris Paul #13 of United States celebrate a made basket by James in the second quarter while taking on Argentina during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Pablo Prigioni

    Argentinian forward Pablo Prigioni (L) challenges US guard Kobe Bryant during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • LeBron James

    US forward LeBron James (R) tries to score over Argentinian forward Andres Nocioni during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the US at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Carlos Delfino

    Carlos Delfino #10 of Argentina goes up for a shot in front of Kobe Bryant #10 of United States in the first half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Facundo Campazzo, LeBron James

    Argentina's Facundo Campazzo, center, tries to drive between United States' LeBron James (6) and Kobe Bryant (10) during a men's semifinals basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London. At left is United States' Kevin Love.

  • LeBron James

    United States' LeBron James, right, scores during a semifinal men's basketball game against Argentina at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Kobe Bryant

    United States' Kobe Bryant, is defended by Argentina's Manu Ginobili, right, during a men's basketball semifinal game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Kevin Durant

    United States' Kevin Durant (5) reacts after he slam dunks against Argentina during a semifinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Kevin Love, Luis Scola

    United States' Kevin Love (11) is fouled by Argentina's Luis Scola, right, during a semifinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Carmelo Anthony

    United States' Carmelo Anthony slams a dunk against Argentina during a men's semifinals basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony

    United States' Kevin Durant, left, celebrates with teammate Carmelo Anthony (15) after he scored during a semifinal men's basketball game against Argentina at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Luis Scola, Kevin Durant

    Argentina's Luis Scola, left, and United States' Kevin Durant, right, fall to the floor as they chase a loose ball during a semifinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Luis Scola, LeBron James

    Argentina's Luis Scola (4) and United States' LeBron James reach for a loose ball during a semifinal men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Team USA

    United States' players gather a center court after defeating Argentina in a men's basketball semifinal game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • LeBron James, Luis Scola

    United States' LeBron James, right, prepares to drive on Argentina's Luis Scola during a men's semifinals basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • LeBron James

    United States' Lebron James, bottom, and teammate Kobe Bryant, right, block Argentina's Luis Scola during a men's basketball semifinal game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in London.

  • Manu Ginobili

    Argentinian guard Emanuel Ginobili (R) is challenged by US guard Chris Paul during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the USA at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Carlos Delfino

    Argentinian guard Carlos Delfino vies for the ball during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the USA at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Carmelo Anthony

    Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States reacts in the second half after making a three-pointer while taking on Argentina during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the North Greenwich Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • LeBron James

    US forward LeBron James celebrates scoring during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the USA at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Kevin Durant

    US forward Kevin Durant (R) challenges Argentinian guard Carlos Delfino during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the USA at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.

  • Carmelo Anthony

    Carmelo Anthony #15 of United States reacts from the bench late in the fourth quarter while taking on Argentina during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the North Greenwich Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Andre Iguodala

    Andre Iguodala #9 of United States shoots over Federico Kammerichs #15 of Argentina in the second half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the North Greenwich Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Andre Iguodala

    Andre Iguodala #9 of United States shoots over Federico Kammerichs #15 of Argentina in the second half during the Men's Basketball semifinal match on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the North Greenwich Arena on August 10, 2012 in London, England.

  • Kevin Durant

    US forward Kevin Durant celebrates after scoring against Argentina during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's semifinal basketball game between Argentina and the USA at the North Greenwich Arena in London on August 10, 2012.


The Americans have said they believe this team is better than the '08 squad, and they are certainly more potent - with a chance to end up outscoring he original Dream Team in 1992.

"You have three scorers on this team who get blistering hot if they make two shots in a row," Kobe Bryant said. "I've never seen anything like it."

In the third straight Olympic semifinal between the U.S. and Argentina, the Americans kept pulling ahead only to see the Argentines climb back in - until James and Durant finally put them away for good.

Manu Ginobili scored 18 points for Argentina, which plays Russia for the bronze medal on Sunday.

Argentina hung around until early in the second half, just as it did Monday in the final game of pool play.

And just like that night, the Americans hit them with a wave of dunks and 3-pointers in the third quarter that turned it into a romp.

While not quite as explosive as their 42-17 period in Monday's 126-97 win, this one had just as many highlights.

Ahead by only four after Ginobili opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer, the Americans pulled away with James' strength and Durant's shot.

Durant made two 3-pointers in an 8-0 spurt that pushed the lead to 13, and when Argentina got back within eight, the NBA's MVP and runner-up teamed up to blow it open.

James had a basket and drove for a powerful dunk while being fouled. Durant followed with consecutive 3-pointers, James tipped in a miss, and suddenly the lead was 19, 72-53, with 1:30 left in the period.

"We had a great run in the first half," Ginobili said. "We started the third very well. And then we blinked."

It became a runaway in the fourth when Anthony hit three 3-pointers in 42 seconds, the American bench spilling onto the floor as he strutted back to midcourt after the last one made it 93-64.

Otherwise, there was little celebrating for the Americans during or after the game.

The party they want can't come until Sunday afternoon.

"It's been a fun ride, but we want to compete on Sunday," forward Kevin Love said.

The U.S. beat Spain 118-107 in the Beijing final, pulling away after leading by just four with about 2 1/2 minutes left. The Spanish are ranked second in the world behind the Americans, and have much more size with brothers Pau and Marc Gasol.

"We'll have a difficult challenge with Spain because they're really big. But they'll have a challenge with us, too," U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

Bryant finished with 13 points, hours after seeing his chances strengthen for another title with the Los Angeles Lakers.

This glowing group of bright stars couldn't even make basketball's biggest news Friday, that coming when Orlando finally traded All-Star center to Dwight Howard to the Lakers in a four-team deal. U.S. swingman Andre Iguodala was part of it, getting sent from Philadelphia to Denver.

Howard was supposed to be here, forced to pull out because of back surgery. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Derrick Rose also were lost to injuries.

The Americans seem just fine without them.

The climb back to the top of the basketball world after Argentina beat them in the 2004 semifinals was a difficult one for the Americans.

Staying there seems inevitable.

Though the Americans did have a close game against Lithuania, they are averaging 116.7 points - right behind the Dream Team's record of 117.3 - with a low of 98.

They've defended only as much as they felt they needed to - and that hasn't been much - but came out locked in on that end Friday.

Durant blocked Luis Scola's shot into the U.S. bench, then stole his pass for an uncontested dunk and a 15-4 lead. A 3-pointer by Bryant made it 18-6, but Argentina ran off nine straight points to get within three, and the U.S. lead was just 24-19 after one.

With the U.S. leading by three early in the second, Krzyzewski inserted James, Bryant and Durant together, and James quickly took over the game. Powering to the basket and daring any Argentine player to get in front of him, he scored seven straight points, turning a 30-27 edge into a 10-point lead.

The Argentines hung in behind their 3-point shooting, Ginobili beating the buzzer with their fifth of the period to pull within 47-40 at the half.

Scola and Carlos Delfino added 15 points apiece for Argentina, trying to go out with a third straight Olympic medal for its "Golden Generation," the group of veterans who helped the Argentines replace the Americans atop the basketball world for a time.

But they haven't been able to find enough young stars to mix in with their old-timers, while the Americans have blended in youngsters like Durant and Russell Westbrook from their team that won the world basketball championships two years ago.

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