Tokyo Games: Team USA Overpowers Iran in Men’s Basketball, 120-66
Team USA bounced back in the men's basketball tournament at Tokyo Games after a dominating performance against Asian powerhouse Iran, with a 120-66 victory on Wednesday.
Dream Team-Type Performance
According to NBA.com, after losing their Olympic opener against France that snapped their 25-game Olympic winning streak, the U.S. basketball team got back to the winning column after displaying a Dream Team-type of performance against Iran. Despite being led by their big man and former NBA player, Hamed Haddadi, the Iranian team was not able to answer the shooting barrage launched by Team USA.
Damian Lillard scored 21 points and led the charge for the Americans, rebounding from an opening loss to get their first victory in Tokyo Olympics. Lillard dropped 7 three-pointers out of the good ball movement by the Americans. Young guns Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum combined for 30 points in the convincing win against Iran. Booker scored 16 points while Tatum dropped 14 points for the American team.
The American team raced out for transition dunks and stepping back to knock down 3-pointers. Team USA overall made 19 3-pointers and hit 23 of its 37 shots inside the arc, which was at 62%. Six players from Team USA were in double figures, as the American team shot the lights out against the Asian powerhouse.
Lillard struggled and then stumbled in his Olympic debut, came out aggressively locating his shots. Lillard, a player known for his deep 3-pointers in the NBA drained easy shots at the Olympics because of the closer international line.
'Dame time' had six of the Americans' 13 3-pointers in the first half. All 11 U.S. players who played in the first half scored in the first 20 minutes of action while late roster addition Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs didn't play until the second half.
Meanwhile, former NBA center Hamed Haddadi scored 15 points for Iran, who is now sitting at a 0-2 record.
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Team USA would be playing against the Czech Republic on Saturday to close the group stage. A victory against the Czechs would guarantee a spot for the Americans in the single-elimination quarterfinals.
However, the Americans are probably through to the elimination games already despite a close game from the Czech due to the enormous point differential as a result of this rout.
It was the first game since the exhibition games in Las Vegas that Team USA looked sharp while navigating roster changes. Jrue Holiday, who was the best American player in the opener, and Booker moved into the starting lineup Wednesday, adjustments made by Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich.
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Written by Jess Smith
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