Two wins from the gold medal most everyone assumed was a lock going into the games, there is still work to be done.
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But history says, Spain lost its four games to US in quarterfinals in 2004 Athens Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics for group play and finals, 2012 London Olympics finals.
As their run continued, the Team USA bench that had been so placid in recent games was as raucous.”For us, it’s all about effort”, said George, who had 17 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
Carmelo Anthony and Durant may get most of the spotlight at these Olympics – and rightfully so – for their shooting, but Paul George’s defense has been huge for the US.
Even in defeat, Argentina’s 23 assists were two more than the Americans totaled.
If Team USA does come out on top, they’ll be playing in the finals against the victor of the Spain vs. Serbia semifinal match that will be determined before their game even starts.
All 12 players on Team USA scored. Do you think they’ll be able to win the gold again?
” ‘We’re not going to pay attention to the past, and we’re not going to pay attention to the future, ‘ ” he told the team.
The talk of Paul George being an MVP candidate sounds very reasonable when he’s making such an impact on a team full of All-Star caliber players. When they put that team together in the future, they have to realize we can’t have just really, really great offensive players.
“It’s another challenging team”.
“We weren’t ready mentally”, Lithuania guard Mantas Kalnietis said. We have to earn it.
“You have to turn it up another level”, he said.
“One-and-done for real”, as Anthony said.
Kevin Durant leads the United States squad with 18.5 points and adds 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists a game. Oddsmakers make the Americans a 13-point favorite, but it’s a game they could lose if they don’t bring consistent defensive pressure on the perimeter, something they just seemed to figure out how to do against Argentina.
WOMEN’S WRESTLING: Japan’s Kaori Icho has become the first wrestler in Olympic history to win four gold medals, beating Russia’s Valeriia Koblova Zholobova 3-2 in 58-kilogram women’s freestyle.
“I couldn’t care less”, US guard Kyrie Irving said Wednesday, not even remotely finding humor in any of this. Don’t miss the big game with a live stream right here!
The line was previously listed at 13.5 points, and Thursday’s movement suggests prospective bettors believe head coach Mike Krzyzewki’s squad can exceed oddsmakers projections.
“He’s a leader who inspires others to do their best”, Aussie coach Andrej Lemanis said of Mills.
But there on the top step of the medal podium were Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, claiming the second straight Olympic gold medal for their homeland and establishing it as a power in the beach volleyball world. The Spaniards, who beat France 92-67 in their quarterfinal earlier Wednesday, lost to Team USA in the finals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.
“We know it’s going to be a tough matchup”, Spain guard Jose Calderon said.
Australia beat Serbia 95-80 in a group stage game but center Miroslav Raduljica says his team learned from the loss. “Those are kind of defining moments in our tournament that really help us”.
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Serbia forward Nikola Jokic warns emotion will play a greater role than schemes. Aside from blocks, the USA players were noticeably better at shot contesting, holding Argentina to a measly 38.5% shooting from the field. “Just passion and basketball”. “It’s not about tactics”.
