U.S. men’s basketball team sets record for points in Olympic game

LONDON -- Carmelo Anthony couldn’t miss. Neither could the U.S., once again.

Team USA set a record for most points in an Olympic basketball game to win a third consecutive blowout, this one a 156-73 victory over Nigeria on Thursday.

Anthony made nine of 11 three-point attempts and had 37 points in 14 minutes, 29 seconds as the U.S. blew past the old record of 138 points set by Brazil in 1988 against Egypt.

The U.S. led at halftime, 78-45, and after three quarters, 119-62, at the Olympic Park basketball arena.

Russell Westbrook had 21 points, Kobe Bryant had 16, all in the first half, and Kevin Durant added 14.

Bryant had 14 points in the first six minutes to push the U.S. to a 49-35 lead after the first quarter. That’s a 10-minute quarter.

The U.S. beat France in its opener, 98-71, and Tunisia two days later, 110-63.

Former NBA player Ike Diogu had 27 points for Nigeria.

The U.S. plays Lithuania on Saturday, its second-to-last preliminary game before quarterfinals begin.

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