Team USA’s Damian Lillard scored a team high of 21 points, including 7 3-point points.
SAITAMA, Japan (AP) – The US basketball team won again – and won easily.
Damian Lillard scored 21 points and the Americans recovered from an opening defeat with their first win at these Olympic Games and raged 120-66 past Iran on Wednesday.
Devin Booker scored 16 points and Jayson Tatum had 14 for the Americans, who ended their 25-game Olympic series with an 83-76 loss to France on Sunday.
Not only did the US rebound with a win, but also managed it in a dream team-like performance against an overwhelmed opponent, racing into transitional dunks and stepping back to knock down 3-pointers.
The US made 19 3-pointers and 23 of their 37 shots (62%) within the bow.
It was a loud statement that might calm some of the criticisms the team heard early this summer when they dropped their first two exhibition games.
These came against a different caliber opponent. The Americans had played some of the best basketball players, with games against Spain, Australia, and Argentina – teams numbered 2-4 in the men’s standings – before heading up against the seventh-placed French in the Olympics opener.
But Iran did not pose any of the problems of these contenders, a team that only earned their place in the Tokyo field by being the top-ranked Asian team at the 2019 World Basketball Championship. The Iranians occupy 23rd place in this field of 12, ahead of the only hosts, Japan, who have automatically qualified as host countries for the Games.
Lillard struggled and then stumbled on his Olympic debut, walking off the field 3 for 10 before ending up 17 seconds from a costly fall and foul.
But he came aggressively looking for his shot, a player known for his deep 3-pointers in the NBA who has an easy time shooting behind the nearer international line.
He had six of the Americans’ 13 threesomes in the first half. All 11 US players who played in the first half scored a goal – late roster Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs didn’t play until the second half.
Former NBA center Hamed Haddadi scored 15 points for Iran (0-2).
The US and Iran have long been rival nations in the political arena, but have little history in basketball. They had only played once before, a US victory at the 2010 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul.
Players on both teams – Kevin Durant was one of them – said it was just a normal game despite the history of tension between their nations, and this game looked the same. The players exchanged heartfelt punches and a few slaps on the arm before the hint.
The Iranians would not be around the Americans much longer.
The US led 28-12 after one, knocking the 10th 3-pointer lead to 30 in 17 attempts to start the game.
The US will play against the Czech Republic on Saturday to close the pool game, with a win guaranteeing the Americans a place in the quarter-finals with an individual elimination.
The Americans are probably through anyway, thanks to the huge difference in points due to this defeat.
The US probably doesn’t care what kind of team they’re up against. The Americans just had to look good against someone.
They only came into play 2-3 this summer after splitting their exhibition games in Las Vegas prior to losing to France. They had rarely looked sharp as they made roster changes, a game canceled due to coronavirus safety concerns, and the absence of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Booker until the eve of their opener for playing in the NBA final.
Holiday, who was the best American player at the start, and Booker joined the starting line-up on Wednesday.
TIP-INS
US Durant has risen to 331 points in its three Olympics. Carmelo Anthony set the US record with 336 in his four appearances. … LaVine scored 13 points.
Iran: Iran dropped to 2-10 in the Olympics. This is his third appearance in men’s basketball after losing all five games in Beijing and both here in 2008. It also competed in 1948.
NEXT
USA: Play against the Czech Republic on Saturday.
Iran: Play France on Saturday.
