Kevin Durant put on a dominant performance in Team USA’s commanding win against Team Venezuela.
Durant went 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from downtown en route to a 16 point output in the 113-69 win.
Paul George went 6-7 shooting and lead Team USA with 20 points. He also went 3-4 from 3-point range in the effort.
DeAndre Jordan secured a double-double by scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, shooting 6-7 on field goals.
As a team, USA shot 54.5% from the field and held Venezuela to a very weak 34.4% field goal percentage.
#Rio2016 #Basketball: 2nd victory for #USA against #VEN!
? https://t.co/M2GQMiCqdh pic.twitter.com/ivfXX0yVO6
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 8, 2016
After the 1st quarter, the game was tied 18-18. However, Team USA held Team Venezuela to just 8 points in the 2nd quarter, outscoring them 30-8 in that quarter and never looking back.
Unfortunately, Klay Thompson didn’t play well. He was the only player on Team USA not to score, going 0-5 from the field and 0-4 from 3-point range.
Draymond Green only had 2 points, but managed to earn 4 rebounds and handed out 1 assist.
It was a strong performance to bring Team USA to 2-0 during these Olympic games. They remain atop of Group A with Team Australia, who also moved to 2-0 by defeating Serbia 95-80.
The point differentials amongst the undefeated teams in Group A is especially illuminating. Team USA has a +101 through the 2 games they’ve played, while Australia has a +36.
Final: USA 113, VEN 69@Yg_Trece with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-7 field goals.
Recap: https://t.co/gtLy1VfDrN pic.twitter.com/gIGKjmUJh7
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 9, 2016
Australia’s point differential is great, but USA’s is otherworldly. The two teams will square off on Wednesday, and only one team can remain unblemished.
Andrew Bogut is one of the key players on Team Australia, and he’ll get to go up against former Warriors teammates Thompson and Green.
Bogut was traded to the Dallas Mavericks this offseason in order to create cap space for the Warriors to sign Durant.
Bogut will also get to play against Harrison Barnes, who was his teammate on the Warriors from 2012-2016 and signed with the Mavericks this offseason after the Durant acquisition by the Warriors.
Both guys have won a championship together and had some great moments on the court, and now have the distinction of being two of the main casualties in bringing Durant to the Warriors.
The game on Wednesday will be loaded with Warriors’ connections and narratives, and Team USA will look to continue their path to the gold medal without any stumbles.