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Lebron James (R) of the U.S. goes up for a basket against Patrick Femerling of Germany during their men's Group B basketball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 18, 2008. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

BEIJING (Reuters) - The high-flying United States continued their relentless march to the gold medal by trouncing Germany 106-57 to preserve their unblemished record in the Olympic men's basketball competition on Monday.

Soccer great Diego Maradona, given a tumultuous reception when his face flashed up on the arena's giant screen, cheered on defending champions Argentina as they beat Russia 91-79.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant provided the fireworks for the tournament favorites, the only team to advance to the last eight in Beijing without losing a game.

Centre Dwight Howard led the way for the United States with 22 points but James had the game's highlight, throwing down a monster slam dunk and then flexing his muscles to the crowd of 18,000.

"Every game from here out will be like a game seven in the NBA playoffs," said Howard, bizarrely sporting a pair of swimming goggles given to him by Michael Phelps. "Our mission is simple -- to win the gold medal."

Bryant sank three quick three-pointers in a third-quarter burst for the Americans, still smarting after being relegated to bronze at the 2004 Olympics and 2006 world championships.

"Our philosophy is always to get better every game," said Bryant after adding 13 points for the Americans, who will play Australia in the quarter-finals. "We're going to continue to tighten the screws."

SCOLA POWER

Power forward Luis Scola propelled Argentina to win over already-eliminated Russia, exploding for 37 points while Andres Nocioni added 19 for the 2004 Athens gold medalists.

"Fortunately I hit those shots I've been missing all tournament and it changed the game," Scola told Reuters. "Lucky!"

Earlier, China coach Jonas Kazlauskas pulled the plug on a furious Yao Ming with the Olympic hosts being outgunned by Greece in a 91-77 loss.

Yao was clearly annoyed after playing just 18 minutes of China's final group game.

The giant Houston Rockets centre glared at Kazlauskas when benched in the third quarter and slammed his fist against a wall as he stormed off court after the final buzzer.

"Yao's a fighter," said Kazlauskas. "If we'd been closer to Greece he would have played longer minutes but he's a player, I'm the coach. I make the decisions."

China at least avoided Argentina. Instead they will play Kazlauskas's native Lithuania, who topped Group A.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol scorched Angola for 31 points as world champions Spain beat the Africans 98-50 for their fourth Group B win.

Croatia await the Spaniards after pummeling winless Iran 91-57 to avoid a meeting with the United States.

(Editing by Steve Ginsburg)