USA Men Wins Third Straight Olympic Gold Medal

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After cutting it close against Serbia a few days ago in the preliminary rounds, the United States Men's Basketball Team dominated them in the Olympic final game.

The last time the two teams met, the USA narrowly came out with a 94-91 win. This time, Team USA finished the job with a final of 96-66, earning them their third-straight gold medal in the summer Olympics.

Team USA were led in scoring by Kevin Durant, who put up 30 points. That was the most points scored by a single player for Team USA during the Rio Olympics. He was followed by DeMarcus Cousins with 13 points and Klay Thompson with 12 points. Cousins also led the team in rebounds with 15.

Every member of Team USA played in the final game and each member recorded at least a single point.

Kyle Lowry, Kyrie Irving, and Durant all led the team in assists with four while DeAndre Jordan led the team in blocks with three. Paul George and Durant led the team in steals with three each.

Claiming the bronze medal, since Serbia took the silver, was the team from Spain, as they narrowly defeated Australia 89-88 to bring a medal back home.

Both Team USA basketball teams have won gold medals in Rio, with the women's team taking down Spain with a 101-72 final on Saturday to claim their fourth-straight gold medal.

The Olympics end today with the closing ceremonies scheduled for this evening, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

USA Women Capture Sixth Straight Gold Medal, Defeat Spain 101-72

(photo credit: Associated Press)

The United States Women’s Basketball Team came into the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio with one goal: capture their sixth straight gold medal. After a dominating run in this year’s Olympics, the Americans can officially say mission accomplished. The United States wound up earning their sixth straight gold medal after they defeated Spain 101-72 in the gold medal game on Saturday afternoon at Carioca Arena 1 in Rio. The U.S. defeated Spain by 40 points in pool play, but the Spaniards weren’t going to let that happen again, at least it seemed that way in the first quarter. 

The U.S. got off to a slow start, as they only led 21-17 at the end of the first quarter. The Americans had a 27-24 lead in the second quarter, when Head Coach Geno Auriemma decided to go with something very familiar to him to spark the United States. Auriemma, the Head Coach of women’s basketball at Connecticut, put five of his former Huskies on the floor at the same time for the first time in these Olympics, and it seems that he made the right decision. Those five players went on a 16-3 run which blew the game wide open, as the Americans were leading 49-32 at the halftime break. Spain only scored two baskets in the final 6:55 of the first half. 

The Spaniards never came close to making a comeback in the second half. Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, and Tamika Catchings are all playing in their fourth Olympics, and the dynamic trio exited the court together for what might be one final time with just under six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Catchings is playing in her final Olympics, and there’s no better way for her to end her career then winning a gold medal. Taurasi and Bird have both hinted at retiring, so the U.S. Women’s Basketball Team will definitely have a new look by the time they take the floor for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Catchings, Bird, and Taurasi joined Lisa Leslie and Teresa Edwards as the only Olympians to win four gold medals in women’s basketball. Taurasi and Lindsey Whalen both scored 17 points to lead the United States. The Americans have now won 49 straight games in the Olympics with only one of those games being decided by single digits. Despite the loss, these Olympic Games were definitely a bright spot for Spain. The Spaniards earned their first ever medal in women’s basketball. 

USA Men Defeat Spain, Reach Third Straight Gold Medal Game

(photo credit: USA Basketball)

The United States Men’s Basketball Team has been faced with many challenges during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, as they’ve had tightly-contested games with Australia, Serbia, and France during pool play. Things didn’t get any easier for the Americans this time around when they faced their rival Spain for the right to go the gold medal game.

As always, the Spaniards gave the U.S. a very tough time, but the Americans pulled it out in another classic, as they outlasted Spain 82-76. This means the Americans will be heading to their third straight gold medal game. The United States never trailed in the game, but they were never able to pull away from the pesky Spaniards. 

Kevin Durant made some United States history today, as he surpassed LeBron James for second all-time in points scored. Durant scored seven points in the first quarter, which helped the United States take a 26-17 lead at the end of the first quarter. The U.S. extended that lead to ten, but it didn’t last much longer. Spain went on a 7-0 run which cut the Americans’ lead to 33-30. The second quarter was filled with technical fouls, as both teams combined to have six technical fouls in the quarter, including one on Durant, which gave him three personal fouls. 

The United States wound up leading 45-39 heading into the halftime break. Every time the United States was starting to create some separation, Spain simply wouldn’t go away. The Americans built a ten point lead to start the third quarter, but Spain would cut the lead to five with about five minutes left in the quarter. Spain would lose some ground by the end of the quarter, as the U.S. held the 66-57 lead after three quarters. The United States took their largest lead of the game (72-57) with seven minutes left, and Spain was unable to come back from there. 

They did outscore the U.S. 11-4 to end the game, but it was a little too late, and the Americans went on to win 82-76. Klay Thompson scored 22 points to lead the Americans, while DeAndre Jordan provided a strong game all-around for the United States. Jordan scored nine points, and he grabbed 16 rebounds, which tied an Olympic record. 

Pau Gasol wasn’t expected to play for Spain because of injury, but he played through it, and ended up scoring a game-high 23 points. The U.S. Men have now won 24 straight games in the Olympics, as they’ll take on Serbia in the gold medal game on Sunday. The United States defeated Serbia by three points in pool play. Spain will take on Australia in the bronze medal game on Sunday morning. 

NBA To Move 2017 All-Star Game To New Orleans

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After pulling The 2017 NBA All-Star game from Charlotte, North Carolina, The league has decided that it will take place in New Orleans this February. The change of location was due to the state government's decision on a controversial law that has been categorized as anti-LGBT.

The Law is known as HB2, and was created in March as a way to minimize a previous law protecting those who faced discrimination for their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The latest law, that is considered offensive to many, does not allow transgender people to use a restroom in schools and public buildings that does not correspond with the gender labeled on their birth certificate.

HB2 takes away protective rights from the LGBT community and the NBA wanted no part in conducting themselves in a friendly manner with the North Carolina government until this matter is resolved. There are open talks about an All-Star game returning to Charlotte in 2019 if the law is changed.

The transition to New Orleans in the wake of the historically dangerous flooding that has killed 13 is a move NBA commissioner Adam Silver believes will help unite the people of Louisiana. 2017 will be the league's third time hosting the NBA-All Star Game at Smoothie King Arena.

USA Women Beat France, Reach Gold Medal Game

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Team USA will be fighting for the gold medal once again. After their 86-67 victory over France, who they defeated for the gold medal back in the 2012 London Olympics, Team USA punched their ticket to another gold medal game.

This time, their opponent will be Spain, as they defeated Serbia 68-54 earlier today. Team USA and Spain have already met once this season, with the United States taking the 103-63 win.

Against Spain, a key player for the United States was Diana Taurasi. Against France, Taurasi continued her stellar Olympic campaign by putting up 18 points, leading the team in points. She was followed by double digit scorers Maya Moore (15), Sylvia Fowles (12), Seimone Augustus (10), and Brittney Griner (10).

Taurasi also led the team in assists with four while Fowles led the team in rebounds with nine. Angel McCoughtry led the team in steals with two and no player for the United States made a single block. Only two players didn't score for Team USA, which were Breanna Stewart and Tamika Catchings.

Not participating in the game at all was guard Sue Bird. Bird came off the court in the last game against Japan with a knee injury. Her status against Spain in the final game is unknown at the moment.

Team USA will face Spain in the gold medal game on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Randen Lubart's Top Five Games of 2016-17

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5. Bulls at Heat: Thursday Nov. 10

With Dwyane Wade's shocking free agency decision, Miami Heat fans have Nov. 10 circled on their calendars. The 13 year veteran who has played his entire career as a member of the Heat will now be returning as a member of the Chicago Bulls. Many believed Wade would remain on the Heat until retirement, but the 12 year all star was sick of being expected to take less money year after year. This matchup will allow Wade to prove once again that he is still one of the premier players in the league. Chicago's big three of Wade, Rajan Rondo and Jimmy Butler is a bit of a wildcard, but it will be fun to watch them against Miami's Goran tragic, Hassan Whiteside and their assortment of young talent.

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4. Lakers at 76ers: Friday Dec. 16

The 76ers have a bright future with all the lottery picks they have collected over the past few seasons. Headlining this group is the first overall pick in the 2016 draft, Ben Simmons. The Lakers second overall pick from the same draft, Brandon Ingram, will be the Lakers bright spot after Kobe Bryant's recent retirement. Both teams will struggle to win 20 games this season, but there is something exciting about watching a young group figure out how to play together. Hopefully both teams will show promise as they go further into the season.

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3. Warriors at Cavaliers: Christmas Day

Christmas day is truly a special treat for NBA fans. The finals rematch everyone is waiting for will feel more like an all star game this time around. With Kevin Durant joining a Warriors team that is already stacked with talent, Lebron James and company will have their hands full. Lets see if Kevin Love can keep up his stellar defense on Steph Curry like he did in the waking moments of Game 7. Will Andre Iguadala ever recover from arguably the greatest full court block in Finals history. I'm hoping to see a few more clutch three-pointers and jaw dropping ankle breakers from Kyrie Irving as well.

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2. Knicks at Cavaliers: Oct. 25

The Knicks have made several key offseason moves that should add some wins this upcoming season. The additions of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings would make them title contenders if it was 2011. Their roster is much more impressive on paper and injuries are more than likely to take place. Carmelo Anthony has seemed to catch fire while playing for the Men's Olympic Team. Lets see if he can bring that fire to the court against an old rival in Lebron James. Lookout for Kristaps Porzingis to continue his barrage of nasty putback dunks, a sound postgame and the occasional three-pointer.

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1. Warriors at Thunder: Saturday Feb. 11

There is not going to a more important game on the schedule for Russell Westbrook this season. The Thunder point guard fully believes he is the best player on the court at all times and sometimes he is. Kevin Durant's decision to bolt for the Warriors has clearly left its mark on Westbrook and he's ready to go after the Slim Reaper as well as Steph Curry. This game will be a true test for the Thunder as they recover from losing their first superstar. Westbrook will put up a countless number of shots, but it sure will be a good time to watch him defend his homecourt. I expect another triple double for Westbrook and a great performance by is supporting cast who all have something to prove against a goliath Warriors team.

USA Men Beat Argentina to Advance to Semifinals

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The United States Men's Basketball Team hit the century mark once again in points with their 105-78 win over Argentina.

Team USA were led in scoring by Kevin Durant, who put up a staggering 27 points. He was the only player, for both teams, to score more than 20 points. Behind Durant was Paul George with 17 points, DeMarcus Cousins with 15 points, and Kyrie Irving with 11 points.

Team USA were dominant in their rebounds, getting 53 total rebounds compared to Argentina's 42 rebounds. Leading Team USA in rebounds was George with nine rebounds.

Team USA faced a familiar opponent from Argentina in San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginóbili. Ginóbili gave Team USA a run for their money by scoring 14 points and having six assists. However, his efforts weren't enough to top the number one ranked team in the world.

Team USA will now go on to face Spain, who defeated France to get to the semifinals, for the first time in the Rio Olympics. The two teams will face off on Friday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. ET.