It was good for Australia, too, though the Boomers had to wonder if anyone can beat the US after just falling short in their best effort. Australia would have to try and limit the USA from grabbing too many offensive rebounds, as they are averaging 16.5 a game as a team.
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While his impact has been established off the court, it’s becoming clearer by the game that Anthony is playing just as vital of a role on it.
The U.S. (3-0) entered as about a 25-point favorite after coasting in its first two games against China and Venezuela by an average of 50.5 points, enjoying their rock star status in Rio as the most famous athletes in the Olympics.
Anthony, who made 11 of 21 shots, set the U.S. Olympic career scoring record in the process. He picked up two in the first, causing him to sit the first half of the second quarter before coming in and immediately picking up his third.
The Australians, with five National Basketball Association players (four of whom have won National Basketball Association titles), were led by San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (30 points, including six three-pointers) and Milwaukee Bucks point guard Matthew Dellavedova (11 points and 11 assists). It didn’t get any easier from there as they trailed 54-49 at the half.
United States’ Kevin Durant (5) shoots over Australia’s Joe Ingles, left, during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. While they are better by 30 or 40 points (or more) than nearly everyone they’ll be facing in this tournament, there are some teams that can take advantage of being disrespected, and Australia nearly did.
Serbia came shooting well from behind the arc and led 17-16 – the latest the Americans have trailed in the Olympics – before Taurasi took over.
The U.S. led 56-34 at halftime. But, again, the Aussies persevered with a Mills finger-roll putting an end to the Australian drought.
The United States played on cruise control Wednesday, running an uninspired – often static – one-pass-at-best offense and a lazy defensive scheme that the Australians had no problem carving up with backdoor cuts.
Anthony found his range again early in the fourth quarter, though.
“I know many have laughed at us along the way, but perhaps tonight’s performance will help some others believe it”, Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis said. The four-time Olympian finished with a game-high 31 points. Anthony scored 14 of the team’s 29 points in the first quarter.
PG picked up a technical in the first quarter when he and Dellavedova got into a small scuffle, which also led to early foul trouble for PG.
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For everything the United States of America threw at them, Australia seemed to have an answer. The US got off to a slow start in the last game against Venezuela, as they were tied at 18 after one. The Aussies will tip-off against the host nation in hopes of securing the second seed in Group A.
