Team USA blows out Iran in bounce-back win after opening dud

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — It wasn’t simply that the U.S. had been dropping. It was that the extent of play was virtually un-American.

Taking part in passively and passing up open pictures isn’t the best way its gamers grew to become basketball’s greatest. And when it resulted in them dropping their Olympic opener, the People determined to do one thing about it.

“After that loss we got here collectively,” guard Damian Lillard stated. “It was lots of communication between then and now the place it’s like, ’All proper. It’s time to begin wanting like Staff USA.’”

Lillard scored 21 factors and the People obtained again to successful — and successful simply — with their first victory of those Olympics, romping previous Iran 120-66 on Wednesday.

Devin Booker scored 16 factors and Jayson Tatum had 14 for the People, who had their 25-game Olympic successful streak snapped with an 83-76 loss to France on Sunday.

The U.S. not solely bounced again however did it in a Dream Staff-type efficiency in opposition to an overmatched opponent, racing out for transition dunks and stepping again to knock down 3-pointers.

“We got here out with extra freedom as people and took the pictures that we usually take,” stated Kevin Durant. “And so they went in tonight and we guarded up, so it was a great step.”

The U.S. performs the Czech Republic on Saturday to shut pool play, with a victory guaranteeing the People a spot within the single-elimination quarterfinals.

The People are most likely by means of already due to what can be an infinite level differential because of this rout.

The U.S. most likely doesn’t care what kind of crew the efficiency got here in opposition to. The People simply wanted to look good in opposition to any individual.

They got here into the sport simply 2-3 this summer time after splitting their exhibition video games in Las Vegas earlier than the loss to France. That they had not often regarded sharp whereas navigating roster modifications, a recreation cancelation for coronavirus security considerations and the absence of Jrue Vacation, Khris Middleton and Booker till the eve of their opener as a result of these three had performed within the NBA Finals.

Vacation, who was the perfect American participant within the opener, and Booker moved into the beginning lineup Wednesday.

Of their second recreation, the People made the pictures they usually take. The U.S. knocked down 19 3-pointers and 23 of its 37 pictures (62%) contained in the arc.

“Now that they’re full and the entire group is right here, they’re having enjoyable doing what you noticed,” coach Gregg Popovich stated. “Every time we get out on the court docket, they do it an increasing number of and higher and higher as a result of they get confidence within the group and the way we wish to play.”

It was a loud assertion which may quiet among the criticisms the crew has heard proper from the beginning of its summer time, when it dropped its first two exhibition video games.

These got here in opposition to a unique caliber opponent. The People had performed a few of basketball’s greatest, with video games in opposition to Spain, Australia and Argentina — the Nos. 2-4 groups within the males’s rankings — earlier than going through the seventh-ranked French.

However Iran offered not one of the issues of these contenders, a crew that solely earned its spot within the area in Tokyo by being the highest-finishing Asian crew on the 2019 Basketball World Cup. The Iranians are ranked twenty third, forward of solely host Japan — which certified for the Video games mechanically because the host nation — on this 12-team area.

Lillard struggled after which stumbled in his Olympic debut, going 3 for 10 from the sphere earlier than a pricey fall and foul with 17 seconds left.

However he got here out aggressively on the lookout for his shot, a participant recognized for his deep 3-pointers within the NBA having it simple whereas capturing behind the nearer worldwide line.

He had six of the People’ 13 3-pointers within the first half. All 11 U.S. gamers who performed within the first half scored — late roster addition Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs didn’t play till the second half.

Former NBA heart Hamed Haddadi scored 15 factors for Iran (0-2).

The U.S. and Iran are longtime rival nations within the political area however have little historical past within the basketball one. That they had performed solely as soon as earlier than, a U.S. victory within the 2010 world basketball championship in Istanbul.

Gamers on each groups then — Durant was one among them — stated it was only a common recreation regardless of the historical past of stress between their nations and this recreation regarded the identical. Gamers exchanged cordial fist bumps and a few pats on the arm earlier than tipoff.

The Iranians wouldn’t be anyplace close to the People for much longer.

The U.S. led 28-12 after one and pushed the result in 30 on its tenth 3-pointer in 17 makes an attempt to start the sport, making it 47-17 when Zach LaVine made his second in a row.