Business as Usual: U.S. Qualifies for Olympics

The U.S. basketball team qualified with relative ease Saturday for the 2000 Olympics, weathering an early stretch in which Argentina held the lead then defeating its overmatched opponent, 88-59, in the semifinals of the Tournament of the Americas.

In a game largely devoid of emotion or excitement played in front of a crowd of less than 2,000, the United States trailed by as many as seven points in the first six minutes before going on a 23-2 run to take a 43-25 lead. Argentina never challenged again.

Tim Hardaway had 17 points, Gary Payton had 16 points, seven assists and four steals, and Kevin Garnett had 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

Canada clinched an Olympic berth in the other semifinal, defeating Puerto Rico, 83-71. Canada and the United States play tonight.