US sluggish vs. Tunisia but goes to 5-0
September 2, 2010
ISTANBUL (AP)—With nothing to play for, the United States looked as if itdidn’t want to play.
Outworked and outhustled, the Americans led winless Tunisia by only fourpoints early in the third quarter before turning the game into a rout over thefinal 15 minutes of a 92-57 victory Thursday.
Eric Gordon(notes) scored 21 points for the U.S., which had already clinched firstplace in its group and was more interested in getting through this one healthy—which it didn’t do—than earning any style points.
“It happens,” center Lamar Odom(notes) said. “These teams are pumped up to playagainst us. You’re not going to always blow a team out in the first three orfour minutes of a game.”
That’s often what’s expected of the powerful U.S., though.
“It’s kind of like the Tour de France, except you have to win everystage,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “You have to look good in everystage.”
The U.S. (5-0), seeded first in Group B, next plays on Monday againstAngola, the No. 4 seed from Group A.
Reserve forward Rudy Gay(notes) sat out the second half with what was called aslightly pulled right groin. He is expected to be OK for the next game.
The Americans misfired on nine of 10 3-point attempts in the first half andfailed to show any sustained stretches of good offense, an occasional problemfor the team during the group stage. The Americans have time to clean it up,with three days off before playing their first elimination game.
“On these next few days, we have to get better,” Krzyzewski said.
The U.S. opened with its three toughest opponents, then faced easy ones inIran and Tunisia. Chauncey Billups(notes), who earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” forhis clutch play in big games, attributes the sloppiness the last two nights tothe fact that little was at stake.
“It’s kind of tough, but the good thing about it is those games are overnow and every game is as big as the next one now,” Billups said.
Kevin Durant(notes) and Russell Westbrook(notes) each scored 14 points for the U.S. teamand Stephen Curry(notes) had 13. Marouan Kechrid scored 15 points and Macram BenRomdhane added 11 for Tunisia, which went 0-5 in its first appearance in theworlds.
“For our first participation, I am happy,” Tunisia coach Adel Tlatli said.
Krzyzewski played his starters the entire first quarter, which ended withthe Americans up 19-13. The reserves went the whole second, and though theypushed the lead into double digits, Tunisia was within two in the final minutebefore the Americans got the final two baskets for a 39-33 lead.
Clearly taking advantage of the Americans’ lack of interest, Tunisia hustledto keep possessions alive, even ripping a couple of balls out of U.S. players’hands. But those extra possessions usually ended in missed shots. Tunisia hit 28percent after entering the game at 36 percent for the tournament, second worstin the 24-team field.
The Americans finally broke it open midway through the third quarter. An 8-2burst turned an eight-point lead into a 55-41 advantage. Gordon and Curry madeconsecutive 3-pointers in an 8-0 spurt that extended it to 63-44 in the finalminute of the period.
With Gordon making four 3-pointers and Curry three, the Americans finished10 of 26 from behind the arc.
“We were giving up open shots,” Westbrook said. “They came out and playedhard and that’s what that team has been doing the whole time they’ve beenhere,” Westbrook said. “They kind of caught us off guard.”
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