Let the Games begin
Greece, Spain next for unbeaten US
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BEIJING - LeBron James simply knocked aside overmatched Angola players like a schoolyard bully, going wherever he wanted on the basketball court.
Now come the teams that can push back.
Dwyane Wade scored 19 points, James dominated the game with his size and strength on both ends, and the US men's team wrapped up the easy portion of its Group B schedule with a 97-76 victory last night.
Tomorrow, the Americans (2-0) face Greece, the team that stunned them two years ago in the semifinals of the world championship. The Greeks are physical, and they should provide the first test of these Games for the United States.
"I'm expecting this game right here to be tough," US forward Carmelo Anthony said. "They know that we're coming back to redeem ourselves and I'm pretty sure that they watch us a lot."
Long before the rout of Angola started, the Americans were already looking ahead.
Krzyzewski and his staff were seated behind the baseline about 5 1/2 hours earlier for a look at the Greeks, who shut down Germany over the final three quarters while pulling away for a victory.
Greece stunned the United States, 101-95, two years ago in the semifinals of the world championship in Japan. This US team is deeper, and James is a whole lot stronger.
Dwight Howard added 14 points and James finished with 12 for the Americans, who had another rough night from 3-point range but don't appear to be stoppable in the open court. Wade was perfect from the field in Beijing until missing in the third quarter.
The US improved to 4-0 against Angola, starting with the Dream Team's Olympic debut in 1992. That romp is best remembered for Charles Barkley's elbow to an unsuspecting Angolan player in a 116-48 victory.
Carlos Morais scored 24 points for 0-2 Angola.
After the Greece game, the Americans face world champion Spain, which is also 2-0.
Greece 87, Germany 64 - Vasileios Spanoulis and a stingy defense held Dirk Nowitzki to 13 points. Greece (1-1) double-teamed Nowitzki and dominated the lane, while repeatedly catching Germany (1-1) sleeping for backdoor layups or dunks.
Spanoulis led Greece with 23 points and Theodoros Papaloukas added 15.
Los Angeles Clippers center Chris
Spain 85, China 75 - Pau Gasol scored 29 points for Spain, which rallied from a 14-point deficit after three quarters then pulled away from China (0-2) in overtime after Yao Ming fouled out.
Argentina 85, Australia 68 - Manu Ginobili contributed 21 points as defending Olympic champion Argentina (1-1) beat Australia (0-2) in a Group A game.
