RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - DeMarcus Cousins, the same DeMarcus Cousins that helped swing the momentum of games for the United States at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, had his biggest performance in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday night to help the Americans beat Argentina.

Having struggled with fouls and endured plenty of frustration in Group A, the Sacramento Kings big man played a starring role again for his country as it prevailed, 105-78, to set up a Semi-Final with Spain.

Using his considerable size, brawn and overall power, Cousins scored 15 points and played tenacious defense.

"I had a better rhythm, thankfully," Cousins said to FIBA.com. "It was a great team effort all the way around. We started a little sluggish but we recognized it early and snapped out of it and brought a lot of energy to the game.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable. I've never been in a crowd like this before. First time and it was amazing."

Cousins came to life for the USA against Argentina

Coach Mike Krzyzewski will be hoping that Cousins has another game like this on Friday when they go up against Spain in the Semi-Finals. Does he envision having another big performance?

"I would say hopefully so," Cousins said. "This would be the right time to make that happen. This team depends on me nightly and I just want to do my part and help this team win."

"We'll play it (against Spain) like any other game. We come here, we focus on what we do, we play a right type of basketball and hopefully come out successful." - Cousins

Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac is at the Olympics to support his country, Serbia. He was at the game when USA held on and beat Serbia, 94-91.

Cousins laughed and said: "He was rooting against me (during the Serbia game) but every other game, he's with me."

Cousins faced Argentina's Manu Ginobili, a player he goes up against in the NBA. It was the last game of the San Antonio Spurs guard for his country.

"His legacy, it doesn't really have to be spoken of," Cousins said. "He's one of the best international players ever. He's one of the best. Incredible player, incredible career. I hate to see a player like that go. 

Now Cousins will go up against a team that the USA has beaten in the last two Olympic Finals, Spain.

"We'll play it like any other game," he said. "We come here, we focus on what we do, we play a right type of basketball and hopefully come out successful." 

FIBA