USA Opens With Win Against China
8/6/2016 10:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The USA Men's Basketball had an impressive debut in the 2016 Olympics, defeating China, 119-62, in Rio.Â
Kevin Durant had 26 points, Demarcus Cousins had 17 points and Paul George came off the bench to add 15. Former Syracuse standout Carmelo Anthony had nine points and seven rebounds for the Americans.
"I thought our guys played really hard," said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski. "We played really hard, and we shared the ball. I think we had 31 assists. In the third quarter, every bucket we made, it was assisted. We keep playing hard and sharing, I think we are going to keep getting better."
Team USA was dominant from the start, jumping out to an early advantage that reached 30-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Americans never looked back. The squad was impressive on the offensive end and shot 38-of-74 (.514) from the field and 33-of-45 (.733) from the foul line. The Americans had 31 assists on its 38 baskets. All 12 players scored for Team USA.
Team USA overpowered China at the defensive end as well, forcing 24 turnovers. The Americans also built a 52-29 rebound advantage.
Krzyzewski has Syracuse's Jim Boeheim, Tom Thibodeau from the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA and former Oklahoma City assistant coach Monty Williams on the staff. Syracuse head coach designate Mike Hopkins is also with Team USA as a court coach.
Team USA has now won 69 straight games in international play. The last time the Americans lost was in the semifinals of the 2006 FIBA World Championships.
Next up for the Americans is Venezuela. The two teams will meet in pool play on Monday, August 8.
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Kevin Durant had 26 points, Demarcus Cousins had 17 points and Paul George came off the bench to add 15. Former Syracuse standout Carmelo Anthony had nine points and seven rebounds for the Americans.
"I thought our guys played really hard," said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski. "We played really hard, and we shared the ball. I think we had 31 assists. In the third quarter, every bucket we made, it was assisted. We keep playing hard and sharing, I think we are going to keep getting better."
Team USA was dominant from the start, jumping out to an early advantage that reached 30-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Americans never looked back. The squad was impressive on the offensive end and shot 38-of-74 (.514) from the field and 33-of-45 (.733) from the foul line. The Americans had 31 assists on its 38 baskets. All 12 players scored for Team USA.
Team USA overpowered China at the defensive end as well, forcing 24 turnovers. The Americans also built a 52-29 rebound advantage.
Krzyzewski has Syracuse's Jim Boeheim, Tom Thibodeau from the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA and former Oklahoma City assistant coach Monty Williams on the staff. Syracuse head coach designate Mike Hopkins is also with Team USA as a court coach.
Team USA has now won 69 straight games in international play. The last time the Americans lost was in the semifinals of the 2006 FIBA World Championships.
Next up for the Americans is Venezuela. The two teams will meet in pool play on Monday, August 8.
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