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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Anthony’s 27 lead USA hoops past Spain

From Staff And Wire Reports

BASKETBALL: Gold medal at stake or nothing at all, the U.S. Olympic basketball team is too good for Spain.

Carmelo Anthony came off the bench to score 23 of his 27 points in the first half, and the Americans beat Spain 100-78 at Barcelona on Tuesday night in a rematch of the 2008 gold-medal game – and possible preview of the next one.

LeBron James added 25 and Kevin Durant had 13, including 10 in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the third quarter, to help the U.S. break open the teams’ final exhibition game before heading to London.

In other basketball news:

• New Orleans Hornets first-round draft choices Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers have signed their rookie contracts.

• The Houston Rockets announced that Turkish big man Omer Asik is headed to Houston after the Chicago Bulls decided not to match their three-year, $25 million offer sheet.

Rookie QB Weeden signs with Browns

NFL: Brandon Weeden’s start with the Browns won’t be delayed.

The rookie quarterback from Oklahoma Statesigned a four-year, $8.1 million contract one day before he and Cleveland’s other first-year players have their first practice of training camp. Only three years of Weeden’s deal are guaranteed.

In other NFL news:

• The Arizona Cardinals signed five-time Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson to a contract extension that runs through the 2015 season. Wilson, 32, is a four-time team captain who was a third-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 2001. He made the Pro Bowl last season for the fourth year in a row.

• Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith said linebacker Lofa Tatupu will miss the season with a pectoral injury. Smith said Tuesday tests revealed the former Seahawk will require season-ending surgery.

• The Denver Broncos have signed rookie quarterback Brock Osweiler, a second-round pick from Arizona State who they believe can eventually become Peyton Manning’s heir apparent.

• Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick Justin Blackmon has pleaded guilty to drunken driving in Oklahoma in a deal that avoids jail time. Authorities in Stillwater, Okla., said a breath test on June 3, showed his blood-alcohol content to be three times the legal limit.

Brazil goalkeeper out for Olympics

Miscellany: Brazil’s starting goalkeeper, Rafael, has been ruled out of the men’s Olympic squad after injuring his right elbow in a practice session just two days before the team’s opening match.

Brazil will begin its quest for its first Olympic gold medal in soccer against Egypt on Thursday at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Neto, a 23-year-old reserve goalkeeper for Fiorentina, will be Brazil’s starter during the Olympic tournament.

Bruins’ coach receives extension: Just because the Boston Bruins are bringing back the core of last year’s team doesn’t mean they’re content to stand pat, general manager Peter Chiarelli said after signing coach Claude Julien to a contract extension.

“We feel that we’ve come a long way to keeping this critical mass together for this team, because I believe it’s a strong team and will continue to be a strong team,” Chiarelli said at a news conference.

In five seasons with Boston, Julien has a record of 228-132-50. He was 2009 NHL coach of the year and 2011 Stanley Cup champion.