SUMMARY
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Team USA got its bid for a fourth straight men’s basketball gold back on track after obliterating Iran, 120-66, in the Tokyo Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena on Wednesday, July 28.
Stunned by France in the opener, the United States put on a sweeping performance expected from the reigning three-time Olympic champion in Group A behind a balanced attack of six players in double figures.
Damian Lillard torched the Iranians with 21 points and 5 assists as the Americans blew the game wide open in the first two quarters, going into the break with a 30-point halftime lead.
While the United States muffed wide-open triples late in its loss to France, it had no trouble making it rain from outside against Iran, knocking down 19 of their 39 three-pointers for a stellar mark of 49%.
Lillard led the three-point barrage with a whopping seven treys, while Kevin Durant, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, and Jrue Holiday drained two three-pointers each.
The Iranians hardly posed a problem in the second half as the Americans outscored them 60-36 in the last two salvos en route to the 54-point romp.
Booker backstopped Lillard with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, Tatum had 14 points and 4 rebounds, while LaVine chimed in 13 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds in the win.
Durant and Middleton churned out 10 points each for Team USA, which is seeking a top-two finish in Group A for an outright quarterfinals berth.
Former NBA big man Hamed Haddadi led Iran in its second straight loss with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Mohammad Jamshidi also put up 14 points to go with 3 assists.
Team USA seeks to clinch its quarterfinals spot with a win against Czech Republic on Sunday, July 31.
The Scores
USA 120 – Lillard 21, Booker 16, Tatum 14, LaVine 13, Durant 10, Middleton 10, McGee 9, Holiday 8, Adebayo 6, Green 5, Johnson 4, Grand 4.
Iran 66 – Haddadi 14, Jamshidi 14, Rezaeifar 13, Davarpanah 8, Yakhchali 6, Kazemi 5, Hassanzadeh 4, Bahrami 2, Vahedi 0, Jalalpoor 0, Rostampour 0, Geramipoor 0.
Quarters: 28-12, 60-30, 82-43, 120-66.
– Rappler.com
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