ESPN: Order is restored in international basketball. The United States is back on top, but not by that much anymore.
Culminating a three-year mission to end years of embarrassment, the U.S. Olympic team survived a huge challenge from Spain, winning 118-107 Sunday in the gold-medal game.
After overwhelming everyone for seven games, the Americans led by only four points with under 2½ minutes to play. Then the U.S. proved it could handle a close game that seemed would never come in Beijing.
Their prize: the first U.S. gold medal since the 2000 Olympics.
Argentina won the bronze with an 87-75 victory against Lithuania.
Dwyane Wade scored 27 points for the Americans, who found a much gamer Spanish team than the one it humiliated by 37 points earlier in the tournament. Kobe Bryant added 20 points.
In a game so void of defense that it felt more like an NBA All-Star game than one with a title at stake, the Americans had too much offense down the stretch. Bryant converted a clutch four-point play with 3:10 remaining, holding his finger to his lips to quiet the rowdy Spanish crowd behind the basket.
Wade added another 3-pointer that made it 111-104 with just over 2 minutes left, and only then could the Americans relax a little.
They began to celebrate during a break after some technical fouls on Spain with 26 seconds left, then celebrated at midcourt when it was over with “Born in the USA” blaring over the arena’s speakers.
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Woohoo USA #1. Congratulations Kobe on your gold medal! You are the man!
Now get your A..S in the surgery room and fix that pinky already! You won a gold for USA now how about winning a trophy for LA?!
Kobe with the clutch play…that was too sick…
R DA BEST CONGRATS TO ALL DAT WON A GOLD
HOLLAH.
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KOBE ‘IS’ THE BEST PLAYER ON THE PLANET,PERIOD…WHAT A GAME!!
I hope Paul Pierce was watching.
Redemption for USA and for Kobe who proved he’s top dog in hoops (although LeBron comes in a very close #2 ; ) They played great — D-Will was a stud, Howard was a monster. Really enjoyed the whole team. Congrats to Coach K for bringing the whole team together http://www.redeemteamwork.com LOL
CONGRATS TEAM USA!! - GOOD JOB.
I cried. How embarrassing..
i missed the game! but lookin at these comments it mustve been amazing! as long as we won! YEAYEA!!!
That’s right! Go team USA! I seen the game live {on tv} good a$$ game. The Spanish team did real good. Homeboy that was 17 yrs old was tremendouse. So did the other’s, compare 2 the 1st game.
GO TEAM USA MENS BASKETBALL!
kobe still was stand out at the moment needs him,he is the god of the basketball.