Olympics - Always good to beat the Russians
NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.
When Kobe Bryant is on, look out!
Team USA beat the Russians 89 to 68.
This game was a defensive struggle.
Last game was Kobe Bryant’s game to play defense and this game was Kobe’s game to play offense and he did with 19 points.
Meanwhile the Russians played defense.
The United States had been scoring 118 points per game while winning its first three exhibitions by an average of 41 points. Russia allowed far fewer fast-break baskets than the previous U.S. opponents, successfully keeping the game in the halfcourt and forcing the Americans to run more offensive sets.
“I think that’s why they schedule these games,” U.S. star Dwyane Wade said. “Russia is a team we could see in the gold medal game and a team that’s been playing very well of late, so it was good competition. They made us run some sets, slow us down a little bit, but I think overall we played good defense.”
The Detroit Pistons Tayshaun Prince came into the game early and the defensive tone was set. This Olympic team seems to be able to play all styles and that made this game an important test.
Just to keep it all in the NBA family,
Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko scored 18 points and American point guard J.R. Holden added 17 for the European champions.
“If you take a look, in past games, the American team, most points they score is fast breaks and its dunks. I think for the most part we contained the ball,” Kirilenko said. “For the most part I think we did a pretty good job to stop them.”
The NBA is everywhere and may be the big winner.
Carmelo Anthony had 19 points and Dwyane Wade chipped in with 16.
Be sure to check out all your Olympic news at NBCOlympics.com
As always, any NBA Basketball related comments are welcome.
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POSTED IN: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Basketball, Olympics, Team USA
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