The United States and Lithuania kept top position of each group after three wins in the preliminary round of the men's basketball competitions at the Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.

The US showed their determination to the utmost achievement by beating Greece 92-69 in Group B, while Lithuania edged off European champions Russia 86-79 in Group A.

World champions Spain were the only other team with perfect record after three round as they defeated Germany 72-59 in the morning match.

Defending champions Argentina vaulted to the second place in Group A after defeated Croatia 77-53.

China and Australia tasted their first win as China overwhelmed Angola 85-68, thanks to 30 points from Yao Ming, and Australia thrashing Iran 106-68.

The US which averaged 25 points winning margin from three games, had 18 points from Kobe Bryant and Chris Bosh each. Dwyane Wade had 17 points, six steals, five assists and three rebounds, while LeBron James contributed 13 points, six assists, six rebounds and three blocks.

It was a revenge victory to the US as they lost to Greece 101-95 at the semi-finals of the World Championships in 2006. This Dream Teams proved more athletic and determined to lead from the first quarter to the end.

Rimantas Kaukenaswhen contributed 20 points to lead four Lithuanians to score double digits to book a berth at the quarterfinals.

Lithuania held back a strong surge-up when Russia usurped the lead by 75-73 in a 11-4 run in the fourth quarter.

Simas Jasaitis scored five out of his nine points down the stretch to answer a 11-4 run for the triumph.

Dzhon-Robert Kholden led Russia with 25 points while Ramunas Siskauskas tossed in 16.

Spain, which survived a breath-taking 85-75 overtime win over China on Tuesday, used a 17-0 run banking the second and third quarter to take the control of the game on 50-36.

Jose Manuel Calderon had 15 points, Alex Mumbru 14 and Pau Gasol 13 to pace the way to enter the quarter-finals.

Argentina handled the first loss to Croatia as Andres Nucioni chipping in 18 points and eight rebounds.

None of Croatians had double digit scoring with Marko Tomas and Marko Banic having nine points each in the defensive-style game.

Yao Ming shot 10-out-of-11 in the field and added seven rebounds when China rebounced strongly back for a much-needed victory after losing to Spain 85-75 in overtime on Tuesday.

Five Chinese had double-digit numbers with point guard Sun Yue having 11 points, and Liu Wei, Zhu Fangyu and Yi Jianlian adding 10 each.

Leading 28-14 in the first quarter, China lost the momentum in the second period to let Angola claw back on 44-42.

But Angola were held to only seven nine points in the third quarter when China ran away with the win.

Australia kept their advancing opportunity alive thanks to Brad Newley's game-high 24 points and Patrick Mills' 15.

Iran, led by Mohammad Nikkhan's 23 points, gave no challenge to Australia's dominance after trailing 16-3 in the first quarter.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)