SAITAMA, Japan – The most productive thing team had to do. U. S. This summer for Kevin Durant to dedicate himself to playing, and Saturday reminded everyone why.
One night, when he became america’s most sensible scorer of all time at the Olympics, Durant added excellent functionality to his U. S. team resume in a 119-84 victory over the Czech Republic.
The win secured Team USA’s position for the time being. U. S. In their organization and a place in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. at least the semi-finals.
Due to their two convincing victories in the last two games, Team USA has not been injured. U. S. He will be in a favorable position and the most productive medal contenders, Australia, Spain and potentially even Slovenia, led through Luka Doncic in the quarter-finals.
Durant finished with 23 problems on 8-of-11 shooting, which of course is vital to the cause, but his play and defense were equally helpful, as he had 8 rebounds and six assists. 4 of his assists, going from a close game to a soft eruption.
He had a pedestrian start in Tokyo, scoring only 20 problems overall in the first two games and shooting only 40%. Even in preseason games in Las Vegas, Durant wasn’t moving at full speed as he admitted everything seemed to be training. , and only released 43%. He then committed a foul in the opening loss to France, something key in the Americans’ offensive struggles.
While Doncic, who scored 48 points in his first Olympic game, got off to an impressive start and Australia’s Patty Mills had performances, Durant had faded into the background in the first week of the tournament.
All this lethargy went away on Saturday as he looked for his early shot. The Czechs had had a smart start, making 8 of their first 11 shots and building a 10-point lead. But Durant led a pace to overtake them, his 3 numbers at the time of the quarter that they give to the U. S. U. S. The merit of being smart.
It’s an applicable basket, not only because it gave the team the lead, but also because it drove durant (354 points) ahead of Carmelo Anthony (336) for the all-time scorers’ lead. Durant’s outside career is impeccable, adding the 2010 World Cup in Turkey, where he has established himself as the centerpiece of the national team over the next decade.
It was also a breakout night for Jayson Tatum, who had his most productive game of the summer with 27 issues and five three-point problems. Tatum, who was hampered by a minor knee injury in Las Vegas, had lost his starting job. Coach Gregg Popovich had placed him to have an effect on the scorer on the bench, but he was only shooting 40% in the first two games.
Jrue Holiday, who once returned excellently defensively while exerting relentless pressure on the ball and collected 3 interceptions, had 11 points.
The Czechs were led by Blake Schilb, who played for Loyola Chicago, with 17 points.
In some other action, Mills scored 24 points, Jock Landale added 18 and Australia stayed out here for an 89-76 win over Germany and an undefeated organizing final. Nic Kay helped the Australians even though it all came loose in a close game and he finished with 16 points.
The Australians went 3-0 to win Group B, a balanced organisation where they, Italy and Germany played competitive matches opposed to each other.
Italy headed into the Olympic quarter-finals, beating Nigeria to clinch that spot: Nicolo Melli scored 15 points, Nico Mannion had 14 and Italy took advantage of a 14-0 run in the final quarter to win 80-71 in the Group B men’s basketball final for either group on Saturday.
Chimezie Metu scored 22 points and Jordan Nwora added 20 for Nigeria. The Nigerians opened the summer with exhibition victories against the United States and Argentina in Las Vegas, but spent any extras in their first Olympic appearance with coach Mike Brown.
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