After a forgettable first quarter, the U.S. National Team reconvened to rout Argentina, 105-78, on Wednesday.
Following an early double-digit deficit for Team USA, DeMarcus Cousins checked in and quickly changed the outlook of the game by scoring six points and logging a rejection in just three minutes of first quarter play to spur a 9-2 run that gave the U.S. a lead.
No. 12 began the second quarter blocking Argentinean center Luis Scola and later forcing Scola to the bench by drawing two fouls on him.
The Kings All-Star displayed an array of offensive moves throughout the quarterfinal matchup, from his patented low post spin move to a left-handed hook to several crafty layups. Boogie finished 6-of-10 from the field and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe for a total of 15 points, trailing only Kevin Durant and Paul George in scoring.
Durant led the U.S National Team with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while knocking down 9-of-13 from the field and 7-of-9 from beyond the arc. After the game, KD commented on the lineup change that saw DMC become the team’s sixth man for the first time.
“Cousins was great off the bench for us,” said Durant in a postgame interview with NBC.
As Team USA pulled away in the second half, Boogie and the starting unit were able to sit out a majority of the fourth quarter in preparation for Friday’s semifinal matchup with Spain – a team USA edged in the 2012 final round of Olympic play, 107-100.
The winner of Friday’s contest will advance to this year’s championship round on Sunday.
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