Argentina

LONDON -- Kobe Bryant took over the first quarter, Kevin Durant handled the third, Carmelo Anthony made his mark in the fourth and LeBron James displayed his dominance throughout. Any doubt why the U.S. men's basketball team destroyed Argentina, 109-83, in an Olympics men's basketball semifinal on Friday night at North Greenwich Arena? It's called scoring depth. The U.S. advances to Sunday's gold-medal game against Spain in a rematch of the final won by the U.S. at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Below are five things to watch when Team USA plays Argentina in the London Olympics semifinals Friday at 1 p.m. 1. Expect a chippy affair. To get ready for this one, Team USA forward Carmelo Anthony might want to wear a cup after Argentina guard Facundo Campazzo punched him in the groin on a three-point attempt when the two teams met in preliminary round play earlier this week. Campazzo might want his own protection, too. He contended Team USA guard Chris Paul was too physical with him. Kobe Bryant scolded Campazzo for the dirty play afterward.

LONDON — Oh, great. You guys again. The shot heard 'round the arena took place when the U.S. played Argentina earlier this week, a confusing and appalling scene when Carmelo Anthony was, to select a local metaphor, punched in the crown jewels by Argentina's backup point guard. He rolled around the court for a while as teammates Tyson Chandler and Kevin Durant sniped at the 5-foot-10 guard, Chandler taking several menacing steps toward him before being restrained and Durant receiving a rare technical foul for, uh, being a tad vocal.

LONDON - The U.S. men's basketball team keeps calling the Olympics a global game, espousing the importance of befriending opposing countries as much as possible. Unless the U.S. is hit below the equator. Tempers flared when Carmelo Anthony was punched in the groin by Argentina's point guard, obscuring a 126-97 U.S. victory Monday in the final game of preliminary play. Anthony made a three-pointer at the end of the third quarter but crumpled to the court and rolled around for several seconds at Olympic Park basketball arena.

LONDON -- Uh, hello? The U.S. men's basketball team continued to play with substantially less fire than the Olympic flame, muddling through a preliminary game against Argentina and emerging with a 60-59 halftime lead Monday at Olympic Park basketball arena. The U.S. hasn't looked sharp for three halves of basketball, including a 99-94 victory over Lithuania two days ago. Manu Ginobili has 16 points for Argentina, which had no problems scoring at all, shooting 63% and making all 14 of its free-throw attempts in the half.

LONDON -- It had been, oh, about three halves since the U.S. played solid basketball. But a strong 20 minutes came, finally, the U.S. emerging from a one-point halftime lead to win handily against Argentina, 126-97, in an Olympic preliminary game Monday. It was better than anything the U.S. showed in a 99-94 victory over Lithuania. And it helped everyone forget how vulnerable Team USA had looked after its record-setting victory over Nigeria. Kevin Durant had 28 points, 17 in the third quarter, and made eight of 10 three-point attempts, showing almost the same touch Carmelo Anthony had against Nigeria (nine of 11 from long distance)

— Americans continued to advance on the second day of competition in beach volleyball. Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser had an easy time with Kentaro Asahi and Katsuhiro Shiratori of Japan, 21-15, 21-16. Rogers and Dalhausser will next play Adrian Gavira Collado and Pablo Herrera Allepuz of Spain on Tuesday. April Ross and Jennifer Kessy also had it easy with a win over Argentina's Ana Gallay and Maria Virginia Zonta, 21-11, 21-18. Their next opponents are Marleen van Iersel and Sanne Keizer of the Netherlands, also Tuesday.

The cozy Miyazato Inn is conveniently located a short walk from the center of El Calafate in Patagonia, Argentina. The five rooms are clean and comfortable. The owners, Jorge and Elizabeth Miyazato, treat you like family, ensuring that you get the best of your stay in this beautiful region. Miyazato Inn, 150 Egidio Feruglio, Zona de Chacras, El Calafate, Argentina; 011-54-2902-491953 http://www.interpatagonia.com/miyazatoinn/. Doubles from $80 in low season, $90 in the high season.