SAN JUAN, 27 August 2003 — Allen Iverson made seven successive three pointers in the third quarter to lead the United States to a 111-71 victory over Canada in a second round game of the Olympic qualifying basketball tournament on Monday.

“I’ve been with him for six years and this is the best two weeks I’ve ever seen him play,” said US coach Larry Brown. “That was an amazing shooting display.”

Iverson finished with 28 points.

“It was a good feeling because I felt every shot was going in,” said Iverson.” My teammates did a great job of getting me the ball in spots that I need them.”

Canada came out strongly in the first quarter as Steve Nash inspired Canada to a 28-21 early second-quarter lead.

But when Nash was benched, the Canadians only scored another 11 points to go into the half-time break 51-39 down.

Iverson then went mad, landing three pointers from all areas outside the key to set up a 82-59 lead at the end of the third quarter before the US then cruised to victory with Vince Carter, Ray Allen and Tim Duncan finishing with 16 points each.

Canada’s coach Jay Triano said the schedule had been a factor in his decision to restrict Nash’s playing time to 10 minutes.

Canada was to play Brazil next, while the US take on last year’s World Championships silver medalists, Argentina.

“It seems like all these teams we’re playing are leading to Argentina,” said Duncan.” Seems like everyone is talking about them as being the other best team. “We’re excited about it.”

In earlier games, Ruben Wolkowisky scored with 17 seconds to go as Argentina held on to defeat Brazil 76-74. Andres Nocioni and Fabricio Oberto had 14 points each for the Argentines, while Anderson Varejao scored 16 points to lead Brazil.

Puerto Rico recovered from a poor first half to defeat Venezuela 84-59. Elias Ayuso led Puerto Rico with 19 points while Eddie Casiano had 15, all from three pointers.

Oscar Torres top scored for Venezuela with 13 points.

Mexico beat the Dominican Republic 100-91 with Omar Quintero, Horacio Llamas and Victor Mariscal scoring 21 points each, while Henry Lalane led the Dominican Republic with 17. The top four teams in the second round advance to the semifinals on Aug. 30 with the medal-winning teams all qualifying for next year’s Athens Olympics.

Clippers Won’t Match Miami’s Offer to Keep Odom

In Los Angeles, after choosing to keep young stars Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, the Los Angeles Clippers decided to part ways with free agent Lamar Odom.

“After long and careful consideration, we have elected not to match the offer sheet presented to us by Lamar Odom,” Clippers Vice President of Operations Elgin Baylor said in a statement on Monday. “In the final analysis, the decision was based on issues of character and other risks involved.”

Odom signed a reported six-year, $63-million offer sheet from the Miami Heat on Aug. 11, giving the Clippers 15 days to match or lose the 6-foot-10 swingman.

Odom, 23, has spent his first four NBA seasons with the underachieving Clippers after being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 34.1 minutes in 48 games last season.

Odom owns averages of 15.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 230 contests during an injury-dotted career that includes a league suspension early in his career for violation of the anti-drug policy.

Earlier this off-season, the Miami tried to pry away All-Star forward and restricted free agent Brand, who inked a whopping $82.2 million offer sheet over six years, but the Clippers matched it.

They also matched a six-year, $55-million deal that would have had Maggette going to Utah. Odom becomes the third starter the lowly Clippers have lost to free agency this summer. Point guard Andre Miller signed with Denver, center Michael Olowokandi jumped to Detroit, while top reserve Eric Piatkowski opted for Houston.

Defense Says Bryant Not Seeking Plea Bargain

Basketball star Kobe Bryant is not offering a financial settlement to the 19-year-old woman who accused him of rape nor is he seeking a plea bargain with prosecutors, the Los Angeles Laker’s attorney said on Monday, denying a supermarket tabloid story.

“The story that the National Enquirer ran about this alleged offer to settle the case is a complete fabrication,” attorney Pamela Mackey said by telephone from Colorado. “Absolutely,” she said when asked if her 25-year-old client plans to be vindicated at trial. No trial date has been set.