Basketball: U.S. heads to women's final against Spain, maybe without Bird

By Mary Milliken and Steve Keating RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The United States beat France 86-67 on Thursday to secure their ninth trip to the women's Olympic basketball final, where they will meet medal game debutantes Spain. In pursuit of a sixth consecutive gold medal, the world number one United States encountered more resistance from feisty fourth-ranked France than they have from other opponents here. "You forget how much Sue does for this team," said Diana Taurasi, the top game scorer with 18 points.

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