It was closer than Team USA’s first game, but the Americans had no trouble taking down FIBA’s No. 3-ranked Spain 103-63 in another matchup decided by halftime. It’s always tough. Spain has a good team.
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The game started fairly close, with the USA only leading by 17 at the midway point following a competitive second quarter. Griner had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Delle Donne added 11 points, 6 assists and 2 steals of her own.
But Taurasi did get one wish of hers. With the devastating 121-56 win, the US broke their own record for most points scored in the Olympics.
The Americans led 35-9 after the first quarter.
The second half played out much the same way with the American bigs finding easy opportunities in the paint. She finished with eight points and six rebounds.
The top four winning teams from the A and B brackets will go on to elimination play, and the U.S.is expected to breeze through their games.
This will likely be the final Olympics for veterans Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. “So you have to be efficient, you have to take good shots, you have to make sure you share the ball”. They have top-flight quality on their team, some of the best players in the world. As the game wore on, though, Team USA’s superior overall quality became apparent. I was really happy with it.
Working with the most talented forward in the league, the two haven’t forced the issue, instead letting ball move fluently on offense.
For the men, Kevin Durant scored 16 points and Carmelo Anthony 14 for the US squad, which might have grown a touch overconfident following a 57-point blowout of China in its tournament opener.
Competing against the United States women’s basketball team at the Olympics is like trying to outswim Michael Phelps while wearing work boots and a tool belt and towing a keg of beer.
In their Olympic debuts, Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne each made an impact.
Spain is considered a strong team.
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There was plenty of balance on the roster as five players went over double digits and all but one player (Tamika Catchings) scored a basket. She only had two against Senegal. Maya Moore had been in the starting group while Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles have been playing with the second unit.
