While it wasn’t quite as remarkable as their incredible 49-point first quarter, Team USA kept up the pressure in the second 10 minutes against Nigeria on Thursday to take a 78-45 lead into halftime. In just 20 minutes, Team USA has already tied their record for 3-pointers made in an Olympic game (14). As a team, they are shooting 58.3 percent from behind the arc and 67.4 percent from the floor.
Team USA Vs. Nigeria, Olympics 2012: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant Lead Offensive Onslaught In 1st Half
Carmelo Anthony came off the bench at the end of the first quarter and promptly hit four 3-pointers during the onslaught. Anthony kept it up in the second quarter and finished with a game-high 19 points. Before Anthony's bench-scoring, it was Kobe Bryant who led the offensive attack. Kobe hit two remarkable 3-pointers and scored an array of buckets as the ball moved in transition. The Lakers legend finished the first half with 16 points, more than he'd scored in Team USA's two previous games combined.
Brazil holds the record for points scored in Olympic play with a 138-point performance against Egypt in 1988. Even if coach Mike Krzyzewski tries to put the brakes on the blowout, that could be in jeopardy if Team USA continues to shoot it as well as they have.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation’s London 2012 Olympics hub.
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