“Obviously, everybody wants us to win by a lot of points, but it’s not how it’s going to go this time”, Durant said postgame Sunday, via USA Today. They then beat Serbia and France each by just three, scoring at will but also getting burned by such novelties as backdoor cuts, give-and-gos, and extra passes to open men.
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The U.S. team that entered the Olympic tournament as a significant favorite – despite having significant questions – is playing with fire as it heads into the knockout stage. Maybe it has one more run left? However, the results since the game against Australia have been less than stellar as the USA continues to struggle to close out opponents. They knew they were assured of moving on but of probably not finishing better than third, behind the United States and Australia. The underdogs shot 67.9 percent from the field in the first two quarters, and guard Patty Mills finished with 30 points. It seemed like the United States could have used his defensive efforts since their ability to score was matched only by their inability to stop France from doing the same.
Team USA faced another great team on Sunday, as the French roster has many players with National Basketball Association experience. Parker’s presence may have significantly changed the outcome but the US will move forward.
That, friends, is a coaching problem.
The bad news: Team USA hasn’t looked this vulnerable since Krzyzewski took over following the debacle from Larry Brown’s group in 2004. The U.S. will face the fourth-place finisher from Group B which won’t be decided until the preliminary round is complete on August 15.
The talent is there, but it’s mismatched. Instead, he’s allowing the five guys on the court to alternate playing isolation basketball on offense (while the other four players stand and watch) and go through the motions on defense. “You can’t play it any better than we played it in the first half”.
Despite the dominance in the Rio Olympics, many people are still not satisfied with the way they played against their opponents. France, meanwhile, finished third in Group A and could see the USA again in the semi-finals. Draymond Green has not performed like the player that was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year two seasons in a row, and DeMarcus Cousins has not been the rim protector the USA has needed.
The three Golden State Warriors on the team still haven’t quite found their rhythm yet. France tried to mount a comeback, but it would be too little, too late. In the global game, he should thrive – particularly as a smallball center.
Fourth quarter, 5:15, 87-81 USA: Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant stop the bleeding for Team USA thanks to Irving’s attractive pass while falling down to Durant, who dunked it home with authority.
Those moments have been rare this tournament, though.
End of second quarter, 55-46 USA: Paul George missed a jumper and that’s how the first half ended. Should chalk hold all the way to the final, Cambage’s matchup against Team USA’s Brittany Griner will be must-see TV.
The top-ranked United States beat No. 8 China 105-62 earlier Sunday in their last group match to finish a flawless 5-0 at the Rio Olympics. “Whatever the case is, we do have to do a better job”.
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Both teams shot 56 percent from the field, with the US connecting on 35 of 63 attempts and France hitting 41 of 73 tries.
