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Team USA collected a dominating 102-66 win against Iran on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on where you watched. Whatever clock you were looking at, the game started the same way: Dame Time.
“I think we came out with a lot more urgency,” said Damian Lillard during his postgame interview. “We didn’t come out here and think it was just going to happen. We made it happen and that’s the way that we gotta to play if we want to succeed in the Olympics.”
After a loss to France during their first game of the preliminary round, the Americans did not hold back. Lillard cruised through the first two quarters with 18 points, all picked up from beyond the arc with six three pointers. He went on to finish the game with 21 points.
Six Americans scored in double digits, former Nevada center Javale McGee was almost the seventh with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting. He spent 12 minutes on the court, which was 10 more than he did on Sunday. Every player on the Team USA roster scored at least four points against Iran.
Point JaVale! #JaValeAfterDark pic.twitter.com/HQ5K0JfAkH
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWobUSA) July 28, 2021
While lot of open shots did not go in against France, this midweek game saw better luck for the Americans. Team USA went from a 36.2 field goal percentage on Sunday, to 55.3% on Wednesday. The Americans also looked great from deep as they made 48.7% of their three-pointers, seven of the 19 successful shots came from Lillard.
The team as a whole took care of the ball and collected 34 assists but only six turnovers throughout the entire game. The 36-point win was a good way to bounce back, but there is no room for error from now on if the Americans want to have a chance at the gold medal.
Up next, Team USA will take on the Czech Republic on July 31 at 8am ET. The Czech Republic defeated Iran 84-78 on Sunday and will play France on Wednesday.
