Final

USA - Argentina 118:81
United States team proved their All-Star status yesterday as they gave no chances for Argentinean squad in the title decider in Las Vegas. USA completed their perfect campaign with another comprehensive victory and ended the competition at 10-0 record. Both finalist however guaranteed their places in the Beijing Olympics.
United States players were dominant right from the start. They once again could hardly miss from all the ranges and piled up a 35:14 lead after the first frame. Argentina simply were unable to match the tempo and the gap grew wider in the second term reaching a 59:34 mark at halftime. The offensive supremacy of USA team continued after the break as they delivered another 34 points in the third frame and established an insurmountable 93:61 advantage after three quarters. United States team then easily cruised to the title in the final minutes of the encounter and stepped up as new Fiba Americas champions.
LeBron James (203-F-84) led the action with 31 points converting 8/11 three pointers. Dwight Howard (207-F-85) contributed 20 points and 5 boards, while Carmelo Anthony (203-F-84, college: Syracuse) scored another 16 points for the winners. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) answered with 23 points and 5 boards for Argentina. Leonardo Gutierrez (200-F-78) nailed 11 points and Paolo Quinteros (185-G-79) added 10 points in a loss.
USA knocked down 59% from the field and 70% from free throw line. Argentina sank 41% of field goals. USA dominated the boards 41:36, while both teams committed 11 turnovers.
Luis Scola was named tournament's MVP. Leandrinho Barbosa (190-G-82) became the tournament's topscorer averaging 21.8 points per game. Esteban Batista (208-F/C-83) was the best rebounder with 12.4 boards per encounter.

USA: LeBron James 31, Dwight Howard 20+5 boards, Carmelo Anthony 16
Argentina: Luis Scola 23, Leonardo Gutierrez 11, Paolo Quinteros 10


Bronze medals game

Brazil - Puerto Rico 107:111
Brazilian team stopped just one step away from the medals at the Fiba Americas championship in Nevada. They faced Puerto Rico in the Bronze medals game and were defeated in a spectacular high-scoring encounter.
Puerto Rican players were impressive from the start and gained a comfortable advantage after the opening frame 26:12. But Brazil proposed a well-balanced attacking approach and hit back in the second quarter cutting the deficit to 43:48 at halftime. Puerto Rico were still ahead throughout the third term as Larry Ayuso (190-G-77, agency: Edge Sports, college: USC) was deadly from beyond the arc and Angelo Reyes (205-F/C-81) reigned under the rims. But once again Brazil found the energy to come back within a single point late in the dying stage. Marcelinho Machado (200-F/G-75, agency: Interperformances) drained a couple of three pointers and Leandrinho Barbosa provided needed help. But it was not the day for Brazil. Puerto Rico proved perfect from free throw line when it counted the most and sealed the victory in this dramatic battle.
Larry Ayuso led the winners with game-high 39 points. Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Florida Intern.) provided 30 points and 10 assists, while Angelo Reyes had 15 points and 15 boards. Marcelinho Machado scored 21 points for Brazil. Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) produced 19 points and 13 boards in defeat. Brazil also were without the services of Nene Hilario as he was sidelined with injury.
Brazil shot 51% from the field and 85% from free throw line. They were outrebounded by Puerto Rico 31:39 and committed 16 turnovers.

Brazil: Marcelinho Machado 21, Tiago Splitter 19+13 boards
Puerto Rico: Larry Ayuso 39, Carlos Arroyo 30+10 assists