August 27, 2007

Pool B Victory

11 pm. It's late night. But there is still basketball to be played. In Las Vegas, beyond the knowledge of anyone, the FIBA Americas Championships have been played and the United States of America have dominated. They are 4-0 so far, and defeated one of the toughest opponents last night, or this morning, technically, in some parts of the world, Brazil. Brazil has reigning sixth man of the year Leandro Barbosa and two other players with NBA contracts. But the U.S. destroyed Brazil last night, 113-76, with Kobe Bryant scoring 20 and LeBron James bringing home 21. The Americans will now open second round play after clinching their group, against Mexico tonight.

Barbosa was dominating the tournament to that point, averaging a tournament high 27. But the U.S. held Barbosa to just four points on 1of 7 shooting. Brazil was 3-0 to that point.

Mexico did lose last night however, as Uruguay won 91-82 on Nicolas Mazzarino's 36 points and 8 three-pointers. Uruguay is now 3-1 in tournament play.

It still remains to be seen if the updated "Dream Team" can knock of the basketball champs of the world, Argentina, led by San Antonio Spurs superstar Manu Ginobili.

Stay tuned for more wrap-ups of the FIBA America's Championship, where the top two teams are automatically in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

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