SUMMARY
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Team USA snapped out of its doldrums with a dominant 108-80 victory over Argentina on Tuesday, July 13 at Las Vegas to end a two-game skid in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds for Team USA, which bounced back after upset losses to Nigeria and Australia.
Durant scored 8 points in the first quarter and finished 6-for-9 from the field.
“I thought we sustained our (stamina) pretty well,” Team USA coach Gregg Popovich said.
“Against Australia we competed well, rebounded, played defense, ran the floor and had good pace for a half and then it dissipated for a half. Tonight, we maintained that pretty much throughout the game. Hopefully that’s a sign we’re getting better.”
Team USA’s losses to Nigeria and Australia earlier in the week marked the first time an American men’s basketball team lost back-to-back games since 1992, when professionals were first allowed to play for the US.
Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls started for the injured Jayson Tatum (right knee soreness) and finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Damian Lillard added 13 points and Bam Adebayo contributed 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Argentina fell to 0-3 in the Olympic exhibition slate.
Former NBA player Luis Scola, 41, led the Argentinians with 16 points. Scola played for five NBA teams from 2007-2017.
Team USA will next play Australia in a rematch Friday.
– Rappler.com
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