Team USA put on a record-breaking performance against Nigeria on Thursday night, remaining undefeated in Group A play with a 156-73 win. USA obliterated the all-time single-game Olympic scoring record of 138 points, previously held by the 1988 Brazilian national team. After a sluggish start against Tunisia on Tuesday, America’s starters came out from the opening tip and absolutely blitzed the overmatched Nigerian club. Team USA took a 13-0 lead less than three minutes into the game and was quickly on their way to a 49-point quarter that included 11 3-pointers.
Team USA Vs. Nigeria, Olympics 2012: Carmelo Anthony Leads Americans To Record-Breaking 156-73 Win
It was a shooting display for the ages that included an insane 29 made 3three-pointers -- a record for any Team USA game. As a team, USA hit 71.1 percent from the floor and 63 percent from behind the arc. USA made more 3-pointers than Nigeria made total field goals en route to the 83-point win.
In addition to the array of U.S. and Olympic scoring records that fell, Carmelo Anthony broke Team USA's individual scoring record by dropping 37 points in just 14 minutes of floor time. The previous American single-game record was Stephon Marbury's 31 points; Anthony exceeded that in the third quarter. Anthony hit an amazing 10 of 12 attempts from behind the arc, one shy of the American Olympic team record.
Along with 'Melo, Kobe Bryant led Team USA's offensive explosion in the first half. He had 16 points in the first 20 minutes (of which he only played 11) and was done for the night as coach Mike Krzyzewski rested his top superstars for the second-half blowout. Russell Westbrook picked up the highlight show in the second half and finished with 21 points.
Next up, Team USA faces Lithuania on Saturday in their fourth game in Group A play.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation’s London 2012 Olympics hub.
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