So far, the U.S. and Argentina are in the semis, and four other teams (including Puerto Rico ) remain in the hunt for the final two semifinal spots. In a game that pitted Magic center Dwight Howard and his national team against Magic point guard Carlos Arroyo and his national team, Howard had 9 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, 2 blocked shots and a steal in 17 minutes Tuesday, and Arroyo had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 25 minutes. Arroyo fouled out in the third quarter.

Heading into the game, Howard was shooting nearly 80 percent to lead the tournament in field-goal percentage. He hit four of his six shots Tuesday, mostly dunks or putbacks, but only one of his four free-throw attempts. Howard had no turnovers, and Arroyo had just one.

Tuesday's game was kind of odd. The Americans returned to the starting lineup they have used most frequently in the tournament: Jason Kidd at point guard, Carmelo Anthony at power forward, Lebron James at small forward, Kobe Bryant at shooting guard and Howard at center. The Americans started slow, and did not play their best game, missing shots that they had been hitting earlier in the tournament. But they still shot 59.5 percent, took charge in the second quarter and never looked back. It's hard to be critical of Team USA because it is winning so easily most nights. The Americans just aren't making the sharp plays they were last week. For example, on one play former Cypress Creek star and current Phoenix Sun Amare Stoudemire had a play that was both spectacular and inefficient. He moved in from the perimeter to grab a rebound on a missed shot, was only able to tip it, jumped straight back up and bounced the ball off the rim on a putback attempt and then leaped up as if he were on a pogo stick for a third time to dump the basketball through the hoop. Stoudemire finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 14 minutes.

The concern is for when the Americans play some of the other elite teams -- if not against Argentina at FIBA Americas, then next year in the Olympics -- against a fully stocked Argentina team or some of the European national squads. All it takes is to lose focus in one game once the team gets into elimination games either at FIBA or the Olympics to bounce the team from the competition.

No one for Team USA is playing a ton of minutes so even though they have played four days in a row and six games in seven nights, it's hard to tell if they are physically tired or just are losing their mental focus. ESPN announcer Bill Walton pointed out that it can be hard to remain sharp, especially when the games are consistently such blowouts. The Americans still will have to play four games in the next five days if they reach the finals.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski did not put the starters back in the starting lineup during the fourth quarter, and players such as Tyson Chandler, Deron Williams, Tayshaun Prince, Mike Miller and Michael Redd did a fine job finishing off the game. (Yes, Prince returned after spraining an ankle two games ago and did not appear to be limited in any way. Breathe easy, Pistons fans.).

Next up for Team USA is Uruguay , which has been able to put some points on the board and has received regular double-double performances from Esteban Batista (Atlanta Hawks) in the tournament. The teams play at 11 tonight on ESPN2. Their biggest challenge of the FIBA Americas is likely to come Thursday night against Argentina , which also is undefeated.

NBA Future:
Jrue Holiday
Check out Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, one of the elite guards in the west, regardless of class...

Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, is seen here in action from a CIF playoff game last week.

Jrue Holiday is #21 in white, not to be confused with his older brother, 6-6 junior Justin Holiday, who is #22.

NBA Future:
Dashonte Riley
H.S. Detroit Cass Tech
Age: 14
Sport: Basketball. She starts on the varsity basketball team.
Family: Mother, Collette Anderson; twin sister, Daisha Riley, 14
What surprises you the most about high school? "There is way more kids in school. In basketball, the speed of the game is faster."
Favorite subject: Math
Least favorite subject: Science
What are your goals for high school? "To graduate and to continue to learn."

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