While Team USA is known for its biggest stars, it was a reserve player who ultimately was the top performer through one half of play against Australia in the Olympic basketball quarterfinals. Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams is having his best game of the tournament, as he has 13 points to lead Team USA to a 56-42 halftime advantage.
Williams was especially solid late in the second quarter, when Team USA opened up a 16-point lead. He came in for an ineffective Kobe Bryant and hit three three-pointers in the final three and a half minutes to help increase Team USA's advantage. Fellow reserves Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love also provided solid contributions. Anthony has eight points, while Love has five points and five offensive rebounds.
Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs has 12 points to lead Australia, with 10 of those coming in the first quarter. The winner of this game next faces Argentina, who held off Brazil in the earlier quarterfinal.
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