The United States men's basketball team survived a tough challenge from Austrailia, defeating the Boomers in their third Rio Olympics preliminary game 98-88. Austrailia carved up the U.S. on offense and kept the Americans from dominating the paint. The United States clamped down on defense and used their superior perimeter shooting and depth to wear down the Aussies.
A tough test for the U.S.
Austrailia provided the United States with their toughest challenge to date. After curb stomping China and Venezuela in the first two prelims, Austrailia came out hot, shooting 60 percent from the field in the opening quarter and 67 percent in the first quarter. Austrailia took advantage to the U.S. switching on screens; resulting in mismatches, backdoor cuts, and easy baskets. Australia dominated the paint in the first half, outscoring the U.S. 22-8.
The opening period was back and forth, with five lead changes and two ties. Austrailia led by as many as eight in the first quarter and seven in the second. Austrailia used their size early in the contest, leading to the U.S. staying out of the paint and settling for perimeter shots. Austrailia's 54-49 lead at halftime was the first time the United States trailed at the half since the 2004 games against Argentina.
The U.S. responded in the third with a 9-0 run to take a four-point lead with 7:42 left in the period. Austrailia tied the game four times in the quarter but did not reclaim the lead. In the fourth, Australia reclaimed the lead for a moment on a Joe Ingles fast break layup with 9:04 left. Carmelo Anthony's three-pointer with 7:39 left to play put the Americans ahead for good.
'Melo comes up big for U.S.
The United States had a tough time making shots. The Americans shot just 39 percent from the field. The United States got extra opportunities through their work on the offensive glass, outrebounding Austrailia 21-8. The U.S. took and made a lot of threes, countering the lack of inside scoring, owning a 39-21 edge in attempts. The United shot 43 percent from downtown, going 5-9 in the final period.
The United States needed all of Anthony's scoring against Australia. The New York Knicks All-Star forward led all scorers with 31 points and eight rebounds. Anthony also shot efficiently, making 11 of 21 field goals and making 9 of 15 three-pointers. Australia did not have an answer for the Baltimore, Maryland native; their big men looked lost when tasked with guarding Anthony. Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving scored 19 points and dished out five assists. The former Duke Blue Devil scored 14 in the second half and shot 7-15 from the field after starting 2-7. Kevin Durant was the only other American to record double figures in scoring. Durant had 14 points and five rebounds but only shot 4-16 from the floor. Durant did not make any of his five shots in the paint and often settled for contested mid-range looks.
Aussies played without fear.
The Australians started 5 players with NBA experience, and they were not starstruck by their opponents. The Aussies used cuts and off-ball screens to generate offense, often with positive results. Australia shot 50 percent from the floor, though they shot just 38 percent in the second half. Austrailia shot just 2-13 from three-point range after halftime. Australia went 5-8 from downtown in the first half. Like China and Venezuela, the Australians lost the turnover battle, coughing it up 19 times to the U.S.' 12.
San Antonio Spurs point guard Patrick Mills led the Aussies with 30 points, shooting 11-22 and 5-11 from three-point range. Mills scored most of his points on cuts and off-ball screens, something he is used to playing for Gregg Popovich. Dallas Mavericks center Andrew Bogut finished with 15 points, three blocks, and three assists. Bogut's interior defense caused the U.S. to take a lot of perimeter shots. David Anderson led all bench players with 13 points on 5-6 shooting. Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova finished with 11 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and his usual tough defense.
Next up
The United States play Serbia Friday, August 12 at 6:00 EST. Australia plays China that same day at 1:15 EST.