Olympics: US NBA stars eclipse Nigeria

The United States team of NBA stars shattered a host of records, including most points in a single Olympic men’s basketball game, by defeating Nigeria 156-73 on Thursday in a preliminary round game.

Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 37 points on 10-of-12 shooting from 3-point range, all of those figures setting US Olympic team records.

The old Olympic record for points by a team in one game was set by Brazil in 1988 at Seoul in a 138-85 preliminary round triumph over Egypt. Brazilians also had the prior mark from a 137-64 victory over India in 1980 at Moscow.

The Americans also eclipsed their own Olympic team record for points in a game, set in a 133-70 victory over China in 1996 at Atlanta.

Andre Iguodala sank the record-breaking 3-pointer with 4:36 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the US squad 139 points before the multi-millionaire lineup added another 17 points to the record total.

The old mark for points in an Olympic game by a US player was 31 by Stephon Marbury against Spain in 2004.

The US team improved to 3-0, all-but clinching a Group A berth in the medal playoff round. That formality is expected to come on Saturday when the Americans face Lithuania.

Nigeria fell to 1-2, drawing even with Lithuania for the last Group A playoff position.

The US squad also broke its Olympic team record for 3-point baskets by shooting 29-of-46 from beyond the arc.

The old US team Olympic mark of 13 3-pointers in a game was established against Spain in the 2008 Olympic final at Beijing. It fell on a 3-pointer by Deron Williams with 1:35 remaining in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, Spain and Russia clinched berths in the Olympic men’s basketball medal playoffs with thrilling victories Thursday while France and Argentina took big steps toward reaching the quarter-finals with triumphs.

Vitaliy Fridzon sank a 3-pointer from the left corner with four seconds remaining to give Russia a dramatic 75-74 victory over Brazil in a battle of unbeatens while reigning European champion Spain edged winless Britain 79-78.

Jose Calderon led Spain with 19 points and sank crucial free throws in the final seconds to hold off a late charge by minnows Britain, led by 25 points from Joel Freeland and 23 from NBA Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng.

“When you lose your focus and concentration, you really get in trouble,” Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said.

The win ensured Russia and Spain will advance from Group B. Brazil will join them with one more win. Australia would advance by beating Britain on Saturday.

Alexey Shved hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to pull Russia even at 72-72 with 26 seconds remaining. Marcelinho Huertas put Brazil ahead with a layup with 6.1 seconds to play before Fridzon hit the game winner.