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Team USA recovered from an embarrassing first-game loss in their 2020 Tokyo Olympics men’s basketball opener with a 120-66 dismantling of Iran on Wednesday. Iran had lost 84-78 against the Czech Republic in their first game of the competition in Saitama, Japan.
Team USA unleashed their full arsenal in this game, with every player scoring at least four points and six players tallying double figures. This was the kind of win USA needed to boost their confidence after being blasted left and right following their disappointing 83-76 loss to France on Sunday.
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The Iranians had three players score in double digits as Hamed Haddadi led his teammates with 15 points, Mohammad Jamshidijafarabadi had 14, while Navid Rezaeifar had 12. No other players from Iran scored more than eight points.
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On that note, here are five takeaways from Team USA’s impressive performance against Iran in the Tokyo Olympics:
#5 Team USA are a cut above the competition
This was a massacre of epic proportions, with Team USA leading by 16 points at the end of the first quarter and 30 at the half, 60-30. Say what you will about their loss to the French team last weekend, but when the Americans are in sync, they are virtually unbeatable.
Team USA showcased all of their attributes in this game, with every player scoring at least four points and six players tallying double figures. Damian Lillard had 21 points, Devin Booker 16 and Jayson Tatum scored 14 on the night.
Also Check out: USA Men's Olympic Basketball Coaches
#4 Damian Lillard makes up for turnover against France
In the dying seconds of Team USA’s loss to France, Lillard slipped and fell as he was receiving a pass, and that resulted in a costly turnover. The highly competitive Lillard was determined to make up for that mistake on Wednesday, pouring in 21 points, all of them in 3-pointers (7 of 13) to lead his team in scoring.
Lillard had a hot streak late in the second quarter, nailing three consecutive baskets against Iran in a fiery display of his three-point prowess. That run gave Team USA the boost they needed to keep them from relaxing before the first half ended.
#3 Team USA can play excellent defense
One of the hallmarks of Team USA coach Gregg Popovich’s NBA career is defense. On Wednesday, Pop’s team showed their superiority in international competition at both ends of the floor, particularly at the defensive end.
Unlike in their first game when they squandered a seven-point lead in the final minutes against France, Team USA overwhelmed Iran in defense, forcing their opponents to take plenty of contested shots.
Iran made just 37.3% from the field and 34.6% from the 3-point range. The Americans also forced their opponents to cough up the ball 23 times compared to just six times for Iran. Moreover, Team USA had ten blocks and ten steals in a devastating display of total dominance in defense.
Also Check out: USA Olympic Basketball Results 2021
#2 Team USA played unselfishly
Team USA basically ran a basketball clinic against Iran, with crisp passes throughout the game resulting in 34 assists. Zach LaVine led the team with eight assists, with Lillard and Kevin Durant registering five apiece.
During multiple possessions, Team USA spread the ball around to look for the open man. They drove and dished until someone had a clear shot at the basket. This was a far cry from their Tokyo Olympics 2020 opener against France, when they only had 18 assists the entire night.
Also Check out: USA Olympic Basketball Team Schedule 2021
#1 Loss to France has rejuvenated Team USA
After a tentative first few minutes of the game, Team USA finally pulled away in the first quarter with a 28-12 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish. The players hardly gave up easy baskets, communicating well, both offensively and defensively.
The look of determination on Team USA was apparent in their demeanor on the court. When Bam Adebayo was accidentally hit on the face in the second half, the Miami Heat center didn’t even acknowledge the Iranian’s apology as if to show that he was all business.
The same went for the rest of Team USA as they put the clamps on Iran from the first half, with their opponent making just 33% of their 2-point shots from the field.
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