USA´s men and women dominate
The United States’ men were pushed at the Rio Olympics before winning comfortably, while the women were dominant.
The star-studded men found themselves in a dogfight with a feisty Venezuelan team early on, trailing at several points and tied after the first quarter as their opponents slowed the game down and got to the free-throw line.
They would go on to shake the rust off and win 113-69, but do not be surprised if you see that same game plan against the USA from the rest of their opponents.
Next for the United States includes the surging Australia, who beat Serbia 95-80 and feature NBA players Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.
France beat China 88-60.
USA women also came up with a dominant win, beating Spain 103-63 despite having to play back-to-back days.
Five players scored in double-figures, as the team improved to 2-0.
Canada beat Serbia 71-67, Japan crushed Brazil 82-66, and China thrashed Senegal 101-64.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Canada’s women rallied from an eight-point half-time deficit to defeat Serbia behind 25 points from Kia Nurse.
MVP OF THE DAY
Mills scored 13 of his 26 points in the final seven minutes as Australia held off Serbia to remain unbeaten.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“We weren’t worried. We just had to kind of making some adjustments. They changed the pace of the game, something that they did back when we played them in the US but it was a different pace of the game that they played with tonight. They kept us in half court. We didn’t get out in transition. We missed some shots early, played their game. But, once we made those adjustments, we were good,” – Carmelo Anthony on the USA’s early difficulties against Venezuela
“It is clear that if you do not play at 150 per cent against these women they will win by 40 points as today. And if you play at your 150 per cent perhaps they will win by 40 too,” – Spain’s Laia Palau on facing USA’s women.
“I just do what I’m told. I’m told to sleep on a boat so I sleep on a boat,” – Jimmy Butler on USA staying on a cruise ship in Rio.
WHAT’S NEXT
Group B will take to the floor in men’s action, with Spain against hosts Brazil, Lithuania will take on Nigeria and Argentina will match up against Croatia. For the women, Australia will take on France, Brazil will face Belarus and Turkey will play Japan.
