I get to work and fire up the video stream and the first play I see is Melo hitting a three to put hte US up 27-9 with about a minute left in the third quarter. It looks like I have already missed the most competitive part of the game.

and Manu appears to be hurt. Either his foot or his ankle.

Nocioni’s runner at the end of the quarter was changed to a two point shot.

While they are talented and the defending Olympic champs do they honestly believe in their hearts that they have a shot to win this game? Especially with Manu hobbled.

Melo actually drew an offensive foul on Carlos Delfino!

Puts the US up 37-18 with eight minutes left in the second quarter.

Nocioni just busted his can down the floor to break up a two on one break with Melo and Kobe by blocking a dunk attempt by Kobe. Of course, if Kobe had just thrown it down instead of trying ot reverse it, Noc would have had no chance of stopping them.

They have switched to a 2-3 zone as well. US needs to get a couple of buckets.

is they take a lot of unecessary fouls and tend to get in the bonus early.

and the lead is down to 8.

and zone buster Michael Redd is in the game.

and I think we are going to have a US run coming up here…

and the US is back up by 13. Melo is only 2-7 but he has ten points. (I even wrote he made both before he made both. He is shooting well enough from the line that I cannot even jinx him. Of course, that probably just jinxed him.)

and they are taking advantage. US only up 8 after a turnover by Paul along the sideline turns into a fast breka dunk.

I think he needs some help on the block. Scola scores back to back hoops and the lead is down to 6. No US run like I predicted.

Argentina outscored the us 29-19 in the second quarter without Ginobili playing a second. It was an impressive display, but I doubt that they can keep it up.

One reason why Argentina made a run in the second was because LeBron, Wade, Bosh and Howard were all watching from the bench with two fouls. With those guys free to play more in the second half I think the US regains control of this game.

That includes a 7-7 performance from the free throw line.

The US sure could use a nice run to open things up like they had against Australia to shake some of Argentina’s new found confidence.

Melo is on Scola who owned the paint late in the second quarter.

He is 2-2 on a tip in and little jump hook to push the lead back up to 13.

That was an overraction by Melo. He is lucky he did not get a T.

which is a good sign agter they tend to get jump shot happy with the short three point line. Lead at 11 and the US has the ball.

to put the US up 14.

and just drew an intentional foul on Nocioni with a sissy slap to his torso after gtting an offensive rebound. Too bad Howard, cannot make his free throws…oh he made the second!

after some great ball movement by the US.

I am not sure I like that move. Howard has been a beast in the third quarter.

he is leveld at the other end by Scola on a play that was clearly an offensive foul. Bosh checks in for him.

very short rest for our boy.

whether it is in the paint or on the perimeter he is keeping Argentina within shouting range all by himself.

If the US can get one more on him in the next couple of minutes it will be a big deal. He will have to play a little less aggressively.

I have not seen much of the last three minutes or so.

since Wade checked in the game, he has been a force on the offensive glass. Now if only he could make his free throws…

and he is getting thrown around because of it. Scola grabbed him a few minutes ago and he just was thrown down and nearly trampled on the last free throw by Wade. Lucky for Melo it went in or he might have had someone’s Nikes in his mug.

He has made two or three threes in the third quarter.

I doubt the final margin will be less than 10, but if the US wets the bed here anything can happen.

“You see he is human! You can hurt him!” (lame attempt at a Rocky IV reference)

and the US is up by 19…I think. If only this video feed would resemble video instead of a still frame picture.

puts the lead back up to 17 with three minutes left

So if I never post anything ever again, you guys will know why.

and now the question is will the US cover? I think the spread was 19 1/2.

as the last shot from Argentina clangs off the rim ensuring a US cover. This episode of Great Moments in Gambling History was made possible by donations from your local mafia.

The two most talented teams in the tournament will face off Saturday night/Sunday morning with the US attempting to regain their former glory by defeating the Spaniards.

I love how the US celebrates, or does not celebrate after wins. The Spainish team looked like a bunch of pre teens who just won free tickets to a Hannah Montana concert. The US looked like they still had plenty of work to do. I like it.

Redemption is only 40 minutes away.

I felt like I was watching the game live, kind of.
You must I hope you do this for the finale game
I’ll be on the road while the game is on and wont be able to watch.
But I can get this website on my phone so it should work out.