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The report, which flies from the site of the Americans’ preparatory camp in Las Vegas, is already smelling of gambling with a reputation. Three-time defenders of Olympic gold medals fell again. They recorded two defeats in a row only for the third time since 1992, when NBA players could start at the Olympics for the first time.
A nightmare for the Dream Team. Durant et al. were not enough for Nigeria |
The Americans began preparations by defeating 87:90 with Nigeria and now they were not enough for Australia, although they still led by ten points in the third quarter. However, the guests turned the score around and the opponents did not allow a single basket from the field for the last four and a half minutes. The end was dominated by 11: 1.
“I think it was better today,” AP quoted US coach Greg Popovich as saying. “We are only together for a while, so we still have work to do. But in the first half, we defended as we wanted. We jumped well, played at pace and held the ball. We ran out of energy after the break. “
Moments from the match USA – Australia:
Popovich bet on the nomination for the lower roster and the Australians punished it. They scored 44 points from under the basket, compared to 24 in the US. They were better at the rebound in the ratio of 39 to 32.
So far, the USA team has recorded two defeats in a row only at the world championships in 2002 and 2019. In the first case, it finished sixth and in the second seventh, just behind the Czech national team.
“This is not the first time I have seen an American team play a challenging match. I may not have seen him lose twice in a row, but I’ve already seen that his opponent got them in trouble, “said Damian Lillard, who was the best scorer in the USA with 22 points. “Opponents are improving, their players are improving, they have more confidence, but most of all they want to beat us at all costs. And you can definitely see it on the board, “he added.
Kevin Durant helped the US offensive with 17 points, Bradley Beal scored 12 points.
“To be competitive, we have to play one hundred percent in defense. Especially against such a strong opponent as the Americans. And today it wasn’t bad at all. We had a good transition phase and we transformed clear baskets. But we still have a lot of work to do, because I expect more from us, “said Patty Mills, the best scorer of the winners, with 22 points, who will be the flag bearer of the Australian team in Tokyo.
Another NBA player, Joe Ingles, signed 17 points to win. American native Matisse Thybulle added 12 points to the elite defense.
Australia’s biggest star Ben Simmons has given up on the Olympics, Andrew Bogut has announced the end of his career at the end of last year.
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