Men's Basketball: Carmelo Anthony and Team USA Set Olympic Records in Win Over Nigeria, 156-73

The U.S. men's basketball team were particularly effective on Thursday night as they set multiple scoring records against Nigeria in a one-sided contest, 156-73.

The U.S. shattered the Oympic record for points with 156, topping a Brazil squad led by Oscar Schmidt that scored 138 points in 1988.

The night belonged to Carmelo Anthony. The New York Knicks forward set the Olympic record for points by an American player. Anthony shot 10-for-12 from the field for 37 points. From beyond the three-point arc, he converted 10 shots on 12 attempts. Anthony could have done a lot more but head coach Mike Krzyzewski elected to sit the hot-shooting star.

Kobe Bryant, who hasn't been in top form in the Olympics, also stepped up, scoring 16 first half points, on six-of-eight shooting. Bryant, who wore an ice pack on his knee to start the second half, and didn't return.

The U.S. team received a strong night from Deron Williams. The Brooklyn Nets guard scored 13 points, and dished out 10 assists.

It was a fun show for the U.S. against an over-matched Nigeria squad. To end the third quarter, Kevin Love gave former UCLA teammate Russell Westbrook an alley-oop touch pass, and Westbrook obliged with an electric dunk.

The game was never in doubt for the Americans. The U.S. tallied 49 points after the first quarter, and led 78-45 at halftime. They hit 14 three-point shots on 24 attempts in the first half.

Ike Diogu, who spent seven seasons in the NBA, led Nigeria with 27 points, and seven rebounds.