Team USA Basketball Blows Out Australia Led by Kobe Bryant in Beijing 2008: The United States’ quest to regain the basketball Gold Medal got one step closer in the Men’s quarterfinals in the Beijing 2008 games. After a close first half, the USA Team came out in the 3rd quarter, determined to impose their will on the Aussies. The final score in this one was 116-85, as Team USA will play the winner of the semifinal game between Argentina vs. Greece.

Kobe Bryant led the way for Team USA with 25 points, shooting 10-16 (63%) from the field, including 4-7 from 3-point territory (57%). Team USA satisfied the initial point spread, as they were a -31 betting odds favorites against Australia (+31).

After a mediocre first half (to say the least), Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony opened the 3rd quarter by converting back-to-back 3’s to push the United States’ lead up to 18 points.

With a 14-0 run, the USA delivered the knock out punch on the Aussies, thus, pushing their lead up to 26 points. It was pretty much garbage time from there on out. Nevertheless, it took a complete team effort, as LeBron James pitched in with 16 points, Melo added 15, Deron Williams and Chris Bosch had 10 each, and Wade and Howard scored 8 apiece.

Except for the free-throw department, Team USA dominated Australia in every facet of the game, as the numbers reflect: 43-76 (57%) shooting, 12-29 (41%) from downtown, 57 rebounds (19 off, 38 def.), 16 assists, 10 steals, and 3 blocked shots.

Here is the final box score for the Aussies: 30-70 (43%), 10-27 (37%), 15-25 (60%) free throws, 28 boards (8 off, 20 def.), 11 assists, 6 steals, 1 blocked shot. Team USA vs. Australia also satisfied the OVER/UNDER, which had been set at a total of 179 points.

NBA Side note: The Milwaukee Bucks perhaps have some reason for concern, as C Andrew Bogut was sidelined early in the third, after twisting his ankle. Bogut did not come back, as his ankle was heavily tapped and iced on the Aussie’s bench.

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MLB Baseball Chicago White Sox vs Seattle Mariners: The Chicago White Sox (72-53) are riding a 4-game winning streak going into Wednesday matinee against the struggling Seattle Mariners (46-79). As hot as the White Sox have been, the Mariners have been just as cold, coming in losers of their last 5. This afternoon from U.S. Cellular Field, starting at 2:05 PM ET, Seattle and Chicago finish a 3-game set. At SBGglobal.com, the Chicago White Sox are overwhelming -220 betting odds Money Line favorites against the Seattle Mariners (+180).

The Chicago White Sox continue to fight off the surging Minnesota Twins (71-54) in the battle for the American League Central division.

Going into this game between the Sox vs. Mariners, just 1 game separates both these teams, as the Twins have been consistently on Chicago’s heels.

Today, the Twins are hosting the Oakland Athletics also in an afternoon game, which gets underway at 1:05 PM ET.

The White Sox will be going for the sweep of the Mariners, while the Twins and the A’s play the rubber game of their series.

This afternoon’s pitching match up consists of two right-handed pitchers having very contrasting seasons. For the White Sox, Gavin Floyd takes the mound looking for his 13th win of the ’08 campaign. Floyd will be making his 25th start, as he has lost just 6 games, and possesses an ERA of 3.75. In 146.1 innings of work, Floyd has struck out 103 batters, and has walked 59.

Floyd will be going against the Mariners’ Robert Alan Dickey (3-7, 4.92 ERA). Dickey, out of Tennessee will be making just his 13th start of the season, after making 11 appearances out of the bullpen. In the 2008 season, Dickey has thrown 97 innings, for which he has allowed 108 hits, 53 earned runs, 12 long balls, has issued 46 free passes, and fanned 55 batters. The OVER/UNDER for this MLB Baseball: Chicago White Sox vs Seattle Mariners has been set at a total of 10½ runs.

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Beijing 2008 Update USA Leads Australia at Halftime: Even before the opening tip of this quarterfinal game between the United States vs. Australia, there was this sense of respect, pride, and determination while Star Spangle Banner played over the PA. Nevertheless, Australia once again showed to be a worthy contender against the 2008 Redeem Team, as the game remained very close. At the half, USA leads Australia 55-43. Coming into this contest, SportsBook.com had Team USA -31 betting odds favorites against Australia (+31) in the Beijing 2008 Men’s Basketball quarterfinals.

Forward Carmelo Anthony, opened this one up with a mid-range jumper to put USA up 2-0. Orlando Magic's C Dwight Howard, after missing two free throws, was able to muscle in an and-one, and converted putting the US up 5-0.

In what became a very physical game, the United States had just a 1-point lead (25-24) after the first quarter.

Aussie international superstar, C Andrew Bogut got in early foul trouble by picking up two quick ones in the opening stanza. However, Australia was able to hang around in the first quarter by shooting the 3-ball very well.

Throughout these Beijing 2008 games, the second quarter has been the time when the US tightens things up, and imposes their will on the opposition. Coach K, made the necessary adjustments by putting out a smaller-quicker lineup against the bigger/slower Australian.

With some solid defense, the United States extended their lead to the largest of the game at 37-30. Australia had taken very good care of the ball in the first quarter by minimizing their turnovers to just 1. But in the opening 6 minites of the second, the US forced 6 turnovers from the Aussies. However, Australia continued to play tough, and limited the damage until the closing minutes. The Utah Jazz's D. Williams was able to drill a 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave the US a bit of momentum going into the locker room. Team USA outscored Australia 30-19 in the second quarter, but they only shot 10-20 from the free throw line. Australia shot 7-11 from the charity stripe.       

After 2 quarters, the USA shot 21-42 from the field, and Australia went 16-33. From long range, the US went 3-13 Australia 4-11. The USA collected 7 steals to the Aussie's 2. And the battle for defensive boards went in the USA's favor 13 to 2. 

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