Kevin Durant caught fire in the second quarter, and he poured in 17 of his team-high 25 points in the first half. The new villain of the NBA Kevin Durant led the team by scoring the first 10 points of the game, which incidentally was KD’s first game at his new home court of Oracle Arena. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Carmelo Anthony and more better be ready when United States of America takes on China on August 6. “Come out this first game and let everybody know that we’re focused, we’re locked in and we’re about business on this trip”.
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DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and Paul George 15 for the USA, which is a heavy favourite to win a third straight gold and won’t change any opinions after this performance. The 2016 USA team will enter Rio riding a 41-game Olympic winning streak that dates back to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medal game.
“It still can be better and that’s what makes us scary”, said New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, who is seeking a record third men’s hoops gold.
Outside of Olympic competition, the U.S.is on a 68-game unbeaten run (45 straight wins in FIBA and FIBA Americas competitions, and 23 consecutive wins in exhibition games) that goes back to 2006. He’s the team leader in 3-pointers at the Olympics and ranks in the top five in most other categories.
“When you spend eight nights in five different hotels it’s tough to get into a routine”, Auriemma said.
Forward Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls said the first time he touched the ball used by the global basketball federation (FIBA), he told himself, “You’d better figure out how to put it in the basket, no matter what. I didn’t see it, but I’m guessing they saw it and their goal was just to get me the ball”.
Team USA will be in action again on Monday against Venezuela.
Carmelo Anthony also scored 20 points in just 15 minutes of play to lead team US in their 106-57 victory against China.
The first Olympic gold medalists in the history of LSU women’s basketball, Augustus and Fowles are making their third Olympic appearances.
Anthony, who had 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, one steal and one block, tied LeBron James and David Robinson for most Olympic games played for the United States with 24.
The Americans beat the Chinese twice in exhibition play by scores of 106-57 and 107-57, and this one was even less competitive.
“The warmup series helped us a lot, and gave more experience to our young players”, said Yi Jianlian, a former National Basketball Association player.
The players are not staying in the Olympic Village with other athletes, trading in the cozy confines for a stay on a luxury cruise ship.
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The new-look Americans started Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Cousins, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
