Carmelo Anthony ensured Team USA remained perfect before starting Olympic play.
In the final exhibition game before the Olympic opener on Sunday, Anthony came off the bench and immediately provided a scoring impact for in a game that was slipping away from the United States.
Spain jumped out to an early 12-3 lead, until the Anthony began his 3-point shooting barrage.
Anthony finished with 27 points as Team USA completed the exhibition portion of his summer schedule with a 100-78 victory over Spain.
As a team, the United States connected on 13-of-23 attempts from 3-point range as a trio of forwards took turns spearheading the offensive attack.
Twenty three of Anthony’s points came in the first half, including five from 3-point range as Team USA won in Barcelona, the site of the 1992 Olympic games.
The United States controlled the final three quarters as it won a rematch of the 2008 gold medal game and the finale from the 2010 FIBA World championship.
Kevin Durant, the Team MVP as the United States won the 2010 FIBA tournament, finished with 13 points but scored 10 during a three and a half minute stretch to open the second half.
Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 27 points as the United States defeated Spain.
As the cornerstone of ‘The B Team‘ in 2010, Durant supplied all of the necessary offense for the Americans, he has plenty of help this summer.
Even with three of the most talented point guards in the world on its roster, the United States main distributor was its power forward.
LeBron James totaled 25 points and eight assists while thwarting any hopes of a comeback for Spain with multipe fast break points and his own series of long range shooting.
The United States was able to overcome an early deficit and the interior size of Spain, the second ranked team in the world.
Without center Marc Gasol in the lineup, out with a shoulder injury, Serge Ibaka and Pau Gasol were able to dominate in the post.
Ibaka led the attack early, dunking the ball on three consecutive possessions as Tyson Chandler, the only true center on Team USA’s roster, was sent to the bench after picking up two early fouls.
Spain was able to dominate up front throughout the game as Gasol totaled 19 points and Ibaka added 16.
The shot blocking presence of Ibaka, the league leader with 241 rejections last season, forced Team USA to sink shots away from the basket.
Once Anthony entered the game, America was able to spread out its offensive attack and began knocking down 3-pointers.
As the long range shots started falling, the rest of the floor began to open up.
The victory marked the fifth in exhibition play for Team USA this summer while also providing a possible preview of the gold medal round in London.
Sunday marks the opening day for Olympic basketball as the United States plays France, the first of six contests in Pool A play.
Along with France, Team USA will face Tunisia, Nigeria, Lithuania and Argentina with one day of rest in between each contest.
On a team loaded with talented wing players, Anthony took over when the team desperately needed an offensive spark.
For the rest of the summer, the United States is looking for anyone to carry the offensive burden.
