USA Trounces Australia; Advances to Semifinals

Riding a 19-0 run that started in the second quarter and stretched until almost four minutes into the third period, the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team (6-0) overpowered Australia (3-3) 34-19 in the third period on its way to a 116-85 win and a 2008 Olympic semifinal berth Wednesday night at Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China. Kobe Bryant turned in a 25-point performance as all 12 U.S. players scored in the contest.

Spain Uses Big First Quarter to Beat Croatia

Pau Gasol and Spain built a big first-quarter advantage and used that as a platform for a 72-59 victory against Croatia in the first quarterfinal of the men's basketball tournament at the Olympics on Wednesday.

Lithuania Ends China's Olympic Dream

Lithuania booked their fifth Olympic semi-final appearance in a row by pulling away from Yao Ming and China for a 94-68 triumph on Wednesday.

Stern: NBA Wants China League, Presence in India

On ESPN.COM, the ASSOCIATED PRESS writes "the 1992 team -- with icons such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird -- introduced NBA basketball to the world stage. Sixteen years later, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have become China's darlings -- and the NBA is hoping capitalize on the basketball's popularity by investing millions in the sport's development in this sprawling nation. The league has plans for an NBA-affiliated league here, and Stern envisions league partnership in as many as 'eight or 10 or 12 arenas throughout China.' 'The world is embracing the sport that the Dream Teamers brought to Barcelona,' Stern said. 'And I would say the 2008 Olympics really demonstrate that complete embrace.' Stern said he never imagined the NBA/China relationship that began in 1985 would be as popular as it is at the Beijing Games.

Gordan Giricek Opts for Europe

Croatian guard Gordan Giricek, who has averaged nearly 10 points per game since joining the NBA in 2002, has become the latest player to leave the league for a bigger payday.

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