San Juan, Puerto Rico ? The United States qualified for the Olympics without throwing any punches, getting hit by any debris or blowing a huge lead — but just barely in all three cases.

In a game marred by an altercation between Tracy McGrady and Eddie Casiano, the U.S. team defeated Puerto Rico, 87-71, Saturday night at the Tournament of the Americas.

Also qualifying for the Athens Olympics was Argentina, which easily defeated Canada, 88-72.

The U.S. team’s victory was fairly easy, too, but it almost got real ugly.

A pushing and shoving match broke out between McGrady and Casiano at the end of the first half. It was broken up by players and coaches from both teams as fans tossed drinks onto the court. Both teams left the court peacefully, and there were no further altercations in the second half.

Puerto Rico had an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter and eventually pulled to 81-71 with just over four minutes remaining on a drive by Carlos Arroyo, but Puerto Rico did not score again.

The United States and Argentina will play in the gold medal game tonight, while a third Olympic berth will go to the winner of the third-place game between Puerto Rico and Canada.

The U.S. team took the lead for good less than four minutes into the first quarter and was ahead 26-17 entering the second quarter after McGrady beat the buzzer with a tip-in.

Arroyo made it a five-point game, 36-31, with 4:22 left before the United States restored a double-digit lead 21/2 minutes before halftime.

Then the ugly stuff began.

With Casiano dribbling on the perimeter as Puerto Rico was holding the ball for a last shot, McGrady defended him physically — repeatedly bumping Casiano and swatting at him as he tried to steal the ball.

The play happened just a few steps from a referee, who did not call a foul.

Casiano eventually lost the ball and fell to the floor, with the ball rolling downcourt toward the American basket. McGrady jogged down and picked the ball up as the other nine players stayed at the other end of the floor. Before dunking it, McGrady turned and stared at Casiano.

During a halftime interview on HF Sports, McGrady said he turned back toward Casiano because he thought he heard a whistle — not because he was taunting him.

McGrady then came back downcourt toward Casiano, who pointed at McGrady and yelled at him while slowly backing away. Coaches from both teams rushed onto the court to get in the middle of the players.

Argentina 88, Canada 72

Argentina received 26 points from Manu Ginobili and showed none of the inconsistency that plagued it throughout the tournament.

Argentina led 33-27 when Steve Nash checked back in for Canada after a four-minute rest, but the NBA All-Star was held in check as Argentina started to steadily pull ahead.