Monday, August 18, 2008

Olympics end for Dirk

The summer of 2008 is one Dirk Nowitzki will always remember. If qualifying for the Olympics wasn't emotional enough, the Big German hoisted his country's flag at the Opening Ceremonies.

It didn't matter that Germany won only one game and finished its run with today's rout at the hands of the Redeem Team. You can't keep score on a dream and Dirk fulfilled his.

Here are the details of Team USA's win over Germany that completed a undefeated run through pool play for the Americans:

The 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team (5-0) compiled 40 minutes of total domination in its final preliminary round game against Germany (1-4), recording its largest margin of victory yet with a 106-57 win Monday night at Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China.

Less than seven minutes into the first quarter, the USA had taken a 20-3 lead, which only continued to grow with each quarter. The USA improved a 19-point advantage at the end of the first quarter to a 24-point lead at halftime, a 37-point lead after three periods and was up by 49 points as the final buzzer sounded.

Everybody scored for the USA, led by 22 points from Dwight Howard, 18 points from LeBron James, 13 points from Kobe Bryant and 10 points from Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.