SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The United States is again better than Argentina in basketball.
Led by Tim Duncan's 23 points and 14 rebounds, the United States routed Argentina 106-73 Sunday night in the gold-medal game at the Tournament of the Americas.
A more competitive game was expected after Argentina, which defeated the United States last summer at the World Championships, only lost by eight to the Americans in the second round.
In the third-place game, Jose "Piculin" Ortiz had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as Puerto Rico defeated Canada 79-66 and qualified for Athens in 2004.
AWARDS: Detroit's Bill Laimbeer was voted coach of the year, and Shock forward Cheryl Ford was selected rookie of the year. Houston's Michelle Snow was selected most improved player.
Laimbeer, a star player for the NBA's Pistons, led the Shock to a league-best 25-9 record this season. He received 45 of 54 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. The Shock set a league record with a 16-victory improvement over 2002.
Ford, the daughter of NBA star Karl Malone, became the first rookie to average a double double with 10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. Snow averaged 9.3 points and 7.7 rebounds. She set a team record with 62 blocked shots.
CLEVELAND 66, DETROIT 59: LaToya Thomas had 16 points and eight rebounds, helping the visiting Rockers even the best-of-three playoff series at one game each. The deciding game is Tuesday night at the Palace, with the winner facing Connecticut in the East final.
HOUSTON 69, SACRAMENTO 48: Tina Thompson scored 17 and Sheryl Swoopes added 14 as the host Comets tied the West series at 1. The deciding game is Tuesday night at Compaq Center.
