Olympics 2021 Men's Basketball Quarterfinals: 5 takeaways as USA defeat arch-rivals Spain 95-81 to qualify for the semi-finals 

#3 USA is playing well as a team

The USA men's basketball team

The USA has plenty of individual superstars on their teams, who are also leaders for their respective NBA franchises. Many questioned their ability to play as a team due to clashes in leadership styles and their franchise rivalries. However, the Americans have answered that question in style in the last few games.

As many as five players scored more than 10 points on Tuesday for the USA. The team had a total of 28 assists, which further proves the chemistry between some of the top superstars in the country. The entire roster has been top-notch and their unity will be important as the team continue their quest to win a fourth successive Olympic gold medal.

The #USABMNT defeats Spain, 95-81 to advance to the #Tokyo2020 Men's #Basketball Semifinals.Kevin Durant: 29 PTSJayson Tatum: 13 PTSJrue Holiday: 12 PTSRicky Rubio: 38 PTS pic.twitter.com/3LIYUpaLM7

— NBA (@NBA) August 3, 2021

---

#2 Kevin Durant has caught fire

Kevin Durant has been terrific as the captain of the USA. He has contributed immensely with his all-around play, setting an example for all of his teammates on the court. Durant scored 23 points in the game against Iran and continued in the same vein against Spain, scoring 29 points vital points to bail his team out of trouble.

Durant made key shots when the USA were down and that effectively bolstered their comeback midway through the second quarter. He shot 59% from the field and also converted all five of his free-throw attempts.

The Exclamation Point❕ @KDTrey5 🇺🇸 #USABMNT x #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/en5pdPujvk

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 3, 2021

The 32-year-old put in a great shift on the defensive end as well, making two steals and a block. If Durant continues to play the same way, the USA will definitely fancy their chances of securing yet another Olympic gold.

---

#1 USA continues to rely on their long-range shooting

Jrue Holiday reacts during the United States' Men's Basketball quarterfinal against Spain

The USA were unable to make the majority of their shots from deep in the first half of the match. They shot only 4-of-17 from beyond the arc in that stretch. Despite that, they did not give up on their long-range shooting as they went on to make the next nine of their 15 attempts in the second half.

The decision to continue shooting from the deep proved to be right as it helped the USA stay in front for most of the game against Spain. The Spaniard, meanwhile, continuously attempted to put pressure on the Americans.

Spain's interior defense was tight, too, which made it important for the USA to keep taking multiple attempts from the three-point line. That decision also saw them move the ball better and quicker, which exhausted Spain's perimeter defenders to a great extent.