US basketball team 'humble' after latest win

In what was supposed to be the marquee match up of the Beijing Games basketball tournament late Saturday, eight US players scored in double figures.

LeBron James led the way with 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals.

The Americans put on a basketball clinic, going up by 20 points in the second quarter scoring at will from both in and outside and never being threatened by the team they could still face in the gold medal match.

"We're trying to get ready, we're trying to win a gold medal, each game is very important to us," said Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard, who finished with 10 points.

"Ourselves, (we are) the only obstacle I think we have. We have to stay humble and if we play the way we've been playing, so hard, we should win."

Next up, the US faces Germany in their final match before a likely game against either Croatia or Australia in the quarter-finals that start Wednesday.

"We played an excellent team (Spain), it shows how far we have come," said Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, who scored 11 points despite early foul trouble.

"Defensively we were in tune, and when we get defensive stops it allows us to get out and run, which we do best... we just have to continue having the same effort every night we step on the court."

Renamed the "Redeem team," the current group of American players are seeking to make amends for a disappointing bronze medal at the Athens Games four years ago and poor showings at the 2002 and 2006 world championships.

After four easy wins and no defeats, Team USA has not been put under pressure at the Beijing Olympics..

"They wanted to make a statement in this game, playing against us, and they did," said Pau Gasol of Spain, who plays alongside Bryant at the Lakers, said.

"They sent a message to everybody in the tournament... now everybody knows that they're for real, and they're very serious about this and are playing with a purpose."