Whatever happens from here on out, Finland can safely say its 2014 FIBA World Cup run included a lead over Team USA.
So what if it was 2-0?
The next 39 minutes and change were a far different story, however, with Mike Krzyzewski’s troops making short work of an overwhelmed Finnish side in a 114-55 drubbing Saturday night in Bilbao, Spain.
Notwithstanding the glaring competitive chasm, it was exactly the kind of dominating performance the Americans needed to kick things off.
Whether Team USA can sustain that defensive identity throughout will go a long way in determining whether Krzyzewski’s relatively young and inexperienced team can capture the squad’s fourth consecutive gold.
Succumbing to its opponent’s suffocating defensive pressure, Finland failed to net a single field goal the entire second quarter, helping Team USA build a 42-point halftime lead from which Finland wouldn’t so much as peak back on breakaway dunks.
All told, Team USA forced 31 turnovers, with Anthony Davis (17 points), DeMarcus Cousins (nine points) and Kenneth Faried (six ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Jim Cavan
Can Team USA Sustain Defensive Identity Throughout FIBA Tournament?
August 30th, 2014 by Jim Cavan Leave a reply »
Advertisement