LONDON — Blame Argentina for lighting an unnecessary fire under the U.S. men’s basketball team as the Olympic quarterfinals commence tonight with Redeem Team II facing Australia at North Greenwich Arena.
Carmelo Anthony was still hot yesterday at point guard Facundo Campazzo for nailing him with a forearm to the groin as he hit a 3-point shot late in the third quarter of Team USA’s 126-97 victory on Monday.
“It was definitely a cheap shot — I don’t play like that,’’ Anthony said. “I don’t agree with that. If you foul someone hard, foul them hard. You don’t take a shot like that.
“Nobody takes cheap shots like that in the NBA. That was a cheap shot. He took it. He got away with it. Nothing we can do about it.’’
Team USA may get another shot at Argentina in the semifinals if the Argentines can first get by Brazil.
Anthony’s teammates looked ready to brawl as he lay on the court.
“They knew it was uncalled for,’’ Anthony said. “Everyone’s going to stand up for you.’’
The Olympics has its own flavor and Anthony is relishing it, even if he usually checks in for starting center Tyson Chandler, his Knicks teammate. That won’t be happening at the Garden.
“I start thinking I’m the center,’’ Anthony said. “I don’t want to start thinking I’m the center, but on this team nobody really has a position.’’
Anthony set the U.S. men’s record for most Olympic points with 37 last week against Nigeria after which coach Mike Krzyzewski said Anthony is arguably the best player he has coached in international competition.
Krzyzewski lauded Anthony for still making the 3-pointer under groin duress as Anthony enjoys the shorter distance (from 23-feet 9 inches to 22-2).
“It’s a lot easier,’’ Anthony said. “In our league, it’s like a normal shot. That’s my range. That’s a shot I’ve taken on a consistent basis and feel comfortable making it.”
Though Chandler starts at center, minutes are spotty. It’s surprising as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year that Chandler hasn’t gotten more time, considering Team U.S.A.’s defense has faltered the past two outings.
Chandler’s finger injury is healing but Krzyzewski still talks about international small-ball and matchups working against the Knicks center.
Chandler, who dislocated his finger playing a scrimmage in Los Angeles, said when Olympic training camp began in Las Vegas last month he couldn’t bend it.
“I’ve come a long way,’’ he said. “This injury has been nothing. You got Melo and Kevin Love behind me. My job is to start the game, start third quarter, get the team right defensively. If he feels he needs me out there, he throws me back. The international game is different, not a typical set where you need a big man.’’
marc.berman@nypost.com