Lithuania Tests US, Americans Survive 99-94

Deron Williams fires a three against Lithuania
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Critics were saying that it would take a perfect storm to knock off the US Men's team and for three and a half quarters it looked like that storm was brewing. Lithuania shot 58% from the field and the US could not get the offense going from the three point line and the free throw line. Lithuania has always given the US fits and Saturday was no exception. Linas Kleiza lead all scorers with 25 and Martynas Pocius added 14 as the US had fits defending the Lithuanian pick and roll offense.

The Americans were coming off an Olympic record performance, scoring 156 against Olympic neophyte Nigeria but would find a stronger challenge against the Lithuanians. At no point were they out of the game staying within single digits for the vast majority of the game, their largest deficit being 12 points in the third. However, it seemed that whenever the US would make a run, Lithuania would answer right back. As an upset minded crowd chanted "Lietuva" in support of the under dogs, Paulius Jankunas made a driving lay up to take the final lead Lithuania would experience. Chris Paul would respond on the next posession with a three pointer and LeBron James would put the offense on his back in the last few minutes as part of a 17-6 run that provided the separation the US needed to win. There wasn't a feel of a secured victory until the final minute when LeBron made his last basket to provide a 9 point lead. LeBron has been focused on getting team mates involved, being a pass first leader on the team but it was apparent that his scoring ability is unrivaled as he rattled off 9 points in the final 4 minutes to secure the victory for the Americans.

The US was able to get Lithuania into foul trouble through much of the game but were uncharacteristically unable to capitalize from the line. The US shot a paltry 61% from the foul line missing 12 shots that could have put the game on ice. USA also struggled from the three point line. Before Chris Paul connected on his momentum swinging 3, the US was 2 of their previous 18. As Lithuania packed the lane, making penetration difficult, the United States became stagnant in their offense only having 13 assists in the game, far below the 32 per game average they've had through out the tournament.

Carmelo Anthony matched LeBron's 20 with 20 points of his own, continuing to show himself as a force to be reckoned with in the international game. Against Lithuania he was able to work in the post where he has been close to unstoppable and was a formidable scoring option off the bench. Also coming off the bench is Russell Westbrook who provides defensive pressure and is a lightning rod for opposing defenses. Coach K capitalized on his speed and defensive prowess  It seems like when the US needs a big shot, it comes to either Anthony or Kevin Durant.

Overall, this game was a good wake up call for the US after lambasting Nigeria by 83. Coach K will no doubt use this game as a learning experience for the team of all stars. On his twitter feed after the game Kevin Love stated that he "Needed a game like that. On to the next one." That next one is against Argentina, which has been a bit of an enigma in this tournament. No doubt though, the third ranked team in the world will give the American's a tough game as both squads prepare for the cross over rounds.

USA rewrites record books, dominate Nigeria 156-73

Anthony puts in 3 of his game high 37 against Nigeria
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Kobe Bryant summed up Nigeria's night in one simple statement. "When we get hot, it's a big problem." Nigeria definitely had a big problem as the USA team shot out of the gate and before Nigeria realized what happened it was 13-0, an opening barrage that set the tone and one that Nigeria would not bounce back from. The 13-0 run to open the game featured three shots from deep coming from Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant. Kobe, who had been fairly quiet in this Olympiad come out firing on all cylinders scoring 14 of his 16 in the first quarter, those points punctuated by a steal and reverse slam on the break. One reason Team USA was able to connect on the record setting 29 makes from behind the line could have a lot to do with their ability to penetrate the Nigerian defense. In previous affairs, the US team has settled for deep looks at the basket without getting into a good flow on offense. However, against Nigeria they were able to penetrate for high percentage looks at the rim or kick out to a waiting sniper when the defense collapsed.

The US team had been hindered by slow starts in both of their previous Olympic match ups, and they seemed to be making a concerted effort to not make that three in a row. In both of those games the United States were 0-12 from deep but flipped the script against Nigeria converting on 11 of 14 from behind the three point line in the first quarter alone. Typically in the Olympics so far, coach K has had to resort to his second unit of "shock troops" in Deron Williams and Russell Westbrook to turn up the heat on opposing teams to turn the momentum towards the US team. Things were different against Nigeria as the game was already in hand against Nigeria when they made their way into the game for the first time. The tempo though did not slow down as the US would score 49 points in the first quarter. They would not need to score again in the first half to still maintain a lead against an over matched Nigerian team.

When all was said and down the final score showed the US more than doubling up the Nigerians and seemed to put the rest of the teams competing in pool A on notice. Every member of the US national team scored and Carmelo Anthony lead all scorer with 37 including a staggering 10-12 from deep in only 14 minutes of play. Anthony has been on an absolute tear in international play, showing his mid range game and outside shooting to be a perfect compliment to Durant's outside game and LeBron's ability to get to the hoop. Of the 59 baskets the Americans made, they had 41 assists which is a stellar ratio but is even more staggering when it's looked at as an assist to turn over ration. Only turning the ball over 7 times, it gave the US a ratio of nearly 6:1 which shows how well they take care of the ball while sharing it with one another.

Conversely, the Nigerians turned the ball over 24 times which while the US defense has been a force in this Olympiad, it's just not going to cut it when you're trying to face the team of all stars. Ike Diagu lead the Nigerian team with 27 of his own but only one of his team mates would tally more than 10 points in Chamberlain Oguchi who scored 11 in 20 minutes on the floor. The Nigerian team are making their first appearance in the Olympics as a basketball team and tallied their first win against African champion Tunisia but since have fallen to Lithuania and now the United States. After facing the US, the Nigerians only get a little bit of a reprieve as they must face Argentina next who are ranked #3 in the world. The US must face Lithuania who defeated the same Nigerian team by 19 points.

When asked about what the scoring record meant to the team, veteran Bryant stated "It’s a part of history. We understand that there have been a lot of great teams that have come through here and I think it was just kind of an acknowledgment to each other that it was a job well done in terms of being a part of it."