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The United States recovered from the disappointment of not entering championship match, beating Argentina 96-81 to win the bronze medal of the World Men's Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan on Saturday.
Dwyane Wade scored 18 out of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers to give the United States the biggest lead on 91-75 with 2:47 minutes left.
"It's great to take the win after a tough loss last night. If we lost again..." Wade said. "This is a great step for us to try to go for the 2008 Olympics."
The United States failed to recapture its honor as they lost to Greece 101-96 in the semi-finals on Friday.
It was the only loss of the United States in the tournament and the bronze-medal finishing is one of its best results in the international competition in six years after it finished sixth in the last version of the world championships and the third placing in the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.
"The U.S. team is very athletic and has potentials. To play against them, you have to be 100 percent ready. It's impossible (to win) if you are so tired as us," Argentina's coach Sergio Hernandez said.
"We are not ready for the game, neither physically or mentally, " said Manu Ginobili, who had 10 points. "One basket could decide you go back with gold medal or nothing. It's not easy to come back after yesterday's loss."
Carmelo Anthony's 3-pointer put the United States ahead for the first time by 50-49 4.10 seconds before the break.
Argentina, who had a 75-74 loss to Spain on Friday's semi-finals, pitched the substitutes for most of the second and third quarters.
A deep U.S. bench outpaced Argentina and built up a 10-point lead in the third quarter by 69-59.
Lebron james contributed 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, his best game in the 16-day tournament when the United States recorded 8-1.
Argentina's Center Luis Scola was in foul trouble for most of the game, but still managed 19 points and five rebounds in 21:19 minutes.
"The last quarter was just NBA showtime. I don't feel good about it," Hernandez said.
In the 5-6 placing finals, France defeated Turkey 64-56 thanks to Florent Pietrus' 12 points and nine rebounds.
France held Turkey to 9-out-of-42 in the field and 6-out-of-20 on 3-pointer for the victory.
Turkey was led by Engin Atsur, who had 15 points and five rebounds.