LONDON — To Argentina’s Pablo Prigioni, Carmelo Anthony is still the enemy, so he had little sympathy for his future Knicks teammate.
The U.S. men’s basketball team faces Argentina Friday night in the Olympics semifinals at North Greenwich Arena and bad blood still festers from Saturday’s showdown during which Anthony was belted in the groin by Argentina backup point guard Facundo Campazzo.
Prigioni, battling a kidney stone that has weakened him, rested during that game, but stuck up for his countryman after Anthony — and Tyson Chandler — called Campazzo’s actions “a cheap shot.’’
“I don’t know, this is part of the game,’’ Prigioni told The Post.
The incident nearly set off a melee and makes the rematch more than just an Olympic semifinal. Anthony admitted after the Americans’ 126-97 win — it was a one-point game at halftime — the players gathered at midcourt, already talking about meeting Argentina again.
Furthering the ill will, Campazzo said Team USA point guard Chris Paul threw a punch at him in the first half. To which Paul responded, “Which time?’’
“We’re ready for it,’’ Anthony said of the rough play. “We know what’s at stake. We know they’re going to throw everything at us. And they’re in the way of our journey. We know what’s at stake. [Tonight] will be as big a game as we’ll ever play.
“This is August Madness, having two games left.’’
Kevin Durant said bluntly, “It’s going to be a chippy game.’’
The Americans view Argentina as their biggest challenge, bigger than struggling Spain. Tonight’s winner faces Spain or Russia for the gold medal.
“The main thing is that they are better together than they are individually,’’ coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “Individually you have two of the greatest international players of all-time in [Manu] Ginobili and [Luis] Scola. They make each other better and they have the heart of a champion. We have had two tough games with them and we expect another tough game.’’
Prigioni said Argentina will go down fighting.
“[The U.S.] has so much potential and power at all positions, they’re an amazing team,’’ said Prigioni, who signed with the Knicks last month. “But our heart will push us to fight one more time, to fight to do our best to be in the final. We have something inside to push us to fight.’’
Anthony said Team USA has “coasted’’ through a few games, letting teams such as Lithuania, France and Australia hang around for at least one half. That won’t be the case tonight.
“It’s dangerous to see what our 12 guys can do locked in,’’ Anthony said. “It’s going to be a special moment.’’
Anthony also noted the special nature of having three Knicks in the game — himself, Chandler and Prigioni.
“Knicks fans have a lot to look forward to knowing what kind of player he is,’’ Anthony said. “Knowing what me and Tyson can do. Hopefully we can combine that and make something happen this year.’’
Krzyzewski has made a big deal of saying Argentina is a different team with Prigioni. But Prigioni said he’s just “70 percent’’ after having missed two games in this Olympic tournament with his ailment. In the Argentines’ quarterfinal victory over Brazil, he shot just 2 of 8.
“I hope … to be a little more [healthy],’’ said Prigioni, who is on medication. “The worst of it is it takes all my energy.’’
This will be the third meeting between the teams in 16 days, with America winning an exhibition in Barcelona by six points before Saturday’s 29-point victory.
“It’s more of a challenge [to beat them three times], but we have a game plan,’’ said LeBron James, who posted a triple double in the win over Australia. “We’ll learn from our mistakes.’’
Argentina is flush with veterans who likely are making their Olympic swan song.
“It definitely changes their approach, they could be going into their last game together internationally,’’ Anthony said. “ Just think of if you were playing your last game, the type of energy you’d bring.’’