INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT: Carmelo Anthony, fighting for a rebound against Darius Songailia, couldn’t match his 37-point output from Thursday, but did score 20. (NBAE/Getty Images)
LONDON — LeBron James won his first championship in June and yesterday saved the U.S. men’s basketball team from its first Olympic loss since 2004.
You remember Team USA’s 83-point destruction of Nigeria on Thursday when several offensive records tumbled? Yesterday, the Americans nearly tumbled against Lithuania in a tight game for 3 1/2 quarters before prevailing 99-94 before 12,000 at Olympic Park’s stunned basketball venue.
“Last game we made history,’’ James said after the escape. “But that’s why they call it history. Today was a new game.’’
There were a lot of tight stomachs on the U.S. sideline when forward Paulius Jankunas scored inside to give Lithuania an 84-82 lead with 5:50 left. But James, who was averaging just 6.6 points in group play entering yesterday, decided it was King Time.
James scored nine of his 20 points in the last four minutes and the U.S. moved to 4-0 and avoided the ridicule. Carmelo Anthony, coming off his historic 37-point game vs. Nigeria, scored 20 points but went cold in the second half.
“I feel like it was my time to step up offensively,” James said. “I have kind of been doing everything else, which I am OK with. I am here to do the little things. I can also score. I am blessed and happy. I was able to make a few buckets down the stretch.”
This was Team USA’s first test of the London Games and it’s no coincidence it came after Thursday’s laugher. Their defense — particularly in the first half when Lithuania trailed 55-51 and shot 56 percent — was nonexistent.
“We got a little bit away from the personality that gives us the best chance to win,’’ coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “It was great to see game pressure on us. You can’t simulate that.’’
Not that Redeem Team II would want to anytime soon. Its next match is against Argentina, filled with NBA players and one of the chief threats to a gold.
“It was a little too close for comfort,’’ said Nets point guard Deron Williams, who started 1-of-8 from the field but then scored five of his 12 points in the last 12 minutes.
James didn’t mind the stiff challenge and that Team USA’s toughest rival, Spain, lost to Russia yesterday in the last game of pool play.
“You want to get tested, good teams want to get tested,’’ James said. “I didn’t think we were flat. I just think we played a better team that’s been to the Olympics time after time. They’re not afraid of the lights.’’
After Lithuania’s go-ahead bucket, Chris Paul drilled a 3-pointer to give the U.S. a one-point lead it never relinquished.
“Definitely the toughest game we’ve had since we’ve been here,” said Paul. “They made a lot of shots, but we’ve got to do a better job communicating defensively.’’
After Paul’s bucket, James got rolling as he looked to dominate the ball — something he hasn’t done in London. He scored just six of Team USA’s 156 points Thursday.
Chants of “USA’’ came roaring down after James buried a 3-pointer. Paul made a steal and that led to a James fastbreak dunk to give the Americans a 92-86 bulge with 3:45 left. Williams then drained a critical 3-pointer and James clinched it as he spun boldly to the basket against two defenders for a tough layup for an 97-88 lead with 2:08 to go.
“He took the game over,’’ Krzyzewski said of James. “For those people who say he doesn’t produce at the end of a ball game — for us he produced. He was terrific. He made plays that needed to be made. For LeBron to say ‘I’ve got this’ — people talk with their bodies and actions and he did that.’’
marc.berman@nypost.com