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Bryant: Kobe slams the Aussies
"We were doing what we were supposed to be doing and they made tough shots, but sooner or later we'll impose our will."
Chris Paul
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America's 'Redeem Team' basketballers strolled past Australia to make the Olympic semi-finals as hosts China lost out to Lithuania and Spain downed Croatia.
America took care of Australia and now face defending champions Argentina in the semi-finals after they edged a two-point thriller against Greece, while Spain play Lithuania for the other place in the final.
The NBA stars from America are trying to reclaim the Olympic crown that they should own after a poor display in Athens four years ago, and they look right on track after comfortably seeing-off the Aussies 116-85.
La Lakers star Kobe Bryant had his best game of the tournament so far with a 25-point return while LeBron James added 16 and Patrick Mills notched 20 for Australia.
A big surge either side of half time saw America open up a sizeable lead after Australia kept it interesting early on, but once down they never looked like getting back into it.
Tough
"Early in the game, they made a lot of tough shots," US point guard Chris Paul said.
"We were doing what we were supposed to be doing and they made tough shots, but sooner or later we'll impose our will.
"I don't know if you can keep up with us for 40 minutes."
Defending champions Argentina are next up for an American team looking to win the Olympic title back they won in Sydney 2000 but lost in Athens.
Argentina just about survived a late scare to beat Greece 80-78 in their quarter-final to set-up a clash with the favourites.
Spain v Lithuania
La Lakers man Pau Gasol led the way for world champions Spain with 20 points in their 72-59 victory over Croatia.
Felipe Reyes notched 13 points, while Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon added 10 - with Marko Banic hitting 15 points for Croatia.
The hosts had hoped to make the semi-finals for the first time but China and giant Yao Ming's dreams were ended by Lithuania, who won 94-68.
China coach Jonas Kazlauskas could not mastermind a victory against his home nation as Sarunas Jasikevicius scored 23 points and Lithuania limited Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming to 19.
Yao was closely watched throughout the game and came in for some rough treatment from the Lithuanians - and in the end he seemed to have the wind knocked out of his sails.
"I'm really happy, but also a little sad about our result," said Yao.
"We were determined to fight, but were limited by our capabilities."
