It was decided on a last-second 3-point attempt by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2014 and traded to the Sacramento Kings on draft night this year, which was just a bit outside.
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The rest of the world isn’t awestruck, not by this team.
“We lack physical play and transition when we face USA”. And the competition is organized, rigid and full of offensive ingenuity. Many of their opponents have, and there’s no fear or awe of this USA team as there was in 1992 when the original Dream Team showed up and showed out in Barcelona.
The U.S. built a 23-5 lead in the first quarter.
Reality has set in for the USA players.
While neither favored American team was in action, several squads with legitimate medal hopes took to the court, and majority did so with the goal of improving their seeding so as to avoid Team USA until the gold-medal game at the earliest. “You can’t play it any better than we played it in the first half”.
Defense and point-guard play have been glaring issues of late.
Usually, players can always count on defense even when the offense is not working, as defense is all about effort.
United States of America shot 49% from the field overall, compared to 52% shooting by Serbia. Denver Nuggets youngster Nikola Jokic was especially impressive, as he dominated inside and out to the tune of 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting. The U.S. also couldn’t handle guard Milos Teodosic, who finished with 18 points and six assists.
Friday, the Americans got off to a near-perfect start only to find themselves in a one-possession game in the final minute, couldn’t get a bucket to put away Serbia and even botched the final defensive play – not only failing to foul to prevent a 3-point shot as planned but giving up a wide-open look in the process. On Friday, Carmelo Anthony and company are in for a tough contest when they take on Serbia at 6:00 a.m US EST.
“Luckily it’s only two games”, DeMar DeRozan said. Euros guys are phenomenal with movement and cuts and playing as a group. One win changes that, though, and leaves them in contention for fourth.
We don’t just need pros in the Olympics.
The Rio Olympic journey of Chinese women’s basketball team came to an end after they suffered a 1-4 group results on Sunday.
Bulls wing Jimmy Butler scored nine points, all coming in the first three quarters. DeAndre Jordan caught lobs from all directions. With their final game in preliminary play Sunday afternoon against a French team that won’t blink for a second at Team USA’s talent.
The Swedes beat the US 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals. The offense wasn’t fluid, either.
With an overall record of 63-3, Olympic losses are rare for the US, but Japan can claim one of them, although it occurred 40 years ago at the 1976 Montreal Games.
That begins Sunday with France and a roster that features several National Basketball Association players such as Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and Nicolas Batum of the Charlotte Hornets.
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During critical possessions, the US looked disjointed.
