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Google interactive doodle highlights Olympics hoop dreams

In another keyboard event from the Web giant, a virtual athlete lets would-be Dream Teamers try to shoot as many free throws as possible in 24 seconds.

Steven Musil Night Editor / News
Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. He's been hooked on tech since learning BASIC in the late '70s. When not cleaning up after his daughter and son, Steven can be found pedaling around the San Francisco Bay Area. Before joining CNET in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers.
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Steven Musil
Google doodles with hoop dreams.

Google is trying hard to get its users into the Olympic Games.

After yesterday's hurdles challenge, the Web giant is tapping our hoop dreams with another interactive doodle that allows users to take the rock to the hole for Olympic gold. Using the space bar (or even the left-click button), would-be Dream Teamers try to shoot as many free throws as possible in 24 seconds.

Oddly, while the hurdles doodle demanded users to use two hands, the basketball doodle requires only two clicks with one hand to shoot a basket. But the trick is that the time between those two clicks determines the distance of the shot -- the longer time between clicks, the farther the ball will travel. That comes in handy has the free-throw line gradually moves away from the basket.

As with tradition dating back to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Google highlights a different event each day of the Games. In addition to the hurdles, sports already featured this year are archery, diving, fencing, rings, field hockey, table tennis, shot put, pole vault, synchronized swimming, and javelin.

At the end of 24 seconds, users will have the opportunity to share their scores on Google+ or click the magnifying glass to get more information on the basketball events. For those you too busy working on your free throw to click, the first of the men's basketball quarterfinals games begins at 6 a.m. PT Wednesday.