Australia has probably played the best of everyone in the Olympics.
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The Americans needed a massive game from Carmelo Anthony to escape the stubborn Aussies.
Anthony, 32, became the all-time leading scorer in us men’s Olympic history Wednesday night, totaling 31 points – including nine 3-pointers – in Team USA’s 98-88 victory over Australia. Kyrie Irving’s 19 points helped as well. The Aussies led by as many as eight points in the first half, stayed within a possession or two until the final minute of Team USA’s wholly uncomfortable 98-88 victory and, as you listened to the big names tell it, left the distinct impression that they’ll be an obstacle for the Yanks one more time down here. They have never won a medal but four of their players own National Basketball Association rings, and with smart passing and rugged rebounding, almost became the first team to knock off the Americans in the Olympics since Krzyzewski took over in 2005.
It was the first Olympic game between the nations, and a rematch of the 2014 Basketball World Cup championship won by the US 129-92.
The Americans will counter with their high-powered lineup of Anthony, Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
The Americans, who had barely broken a sweat in Brazil, trailed early in the fourth quarter before Anthony hit a flurry of 3-pointers to put the Americans on top. For a team led by Matthew Dellavedova, Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills, it was an impressive effort and a reminder of how a cohesive group and a good strategy can give a more talented opponent problems.
Kyrie Irving led six Americans in double-figures with 15 points.
It was the second straight time in the Olympic Games that the US has stumbled out of the gate, but just like the eventual blowout of Venezuela, the team figured it out against a less talented opponent in the end.
The Americans were so carefree in their opener that reserves played rock, paper, scissors to determine who would shoot a free throw.
National Basketball Association star Paul George even referred to the Aussie’s tactics as “a little dirty”, while Kevin Durant believes U.S. will meet Australia again in the later stages of the tournament. “It definitely got real”.
Bogut finished with 15 points for the Australians, who have never won a medal but four of their players own National Basketball Association rings.
The U.S. are now 3-0 in preliminary action at the 2016 Olympics.
“The Australian media is saying, “This is the best thing ever, you battled, we’re proud of you” – but we’re disappointed”, Bogut said after Wednesday’s near-miss.
Australia has defeated Serbia and France in these Olympics.
The Aussies gave the gold medal favourites an almighty scare at Carioca Arena 1, leading at the half by five before US eventually pulled away with a few minutes remaining. You beat a team that’s going to vie for a gold medal.
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What looked like a blowout early turned into the United States’ second straight competitive game, and this one went all the way down to the wire. Anthony became his nation’s all-time leading scorer with his 31-point performance yesterday, and had it not been for last night’s prolific scoring, Team USA might have found itself on the losing end of a tough contest against Australia.
