Credit: FEB.es
Team USA started the game on fire and much better team play than yesterday’s performance against Lithuania. Spain started slow with a lot of missed shots and poor shooting percentages from the outside. The first half was competitive by both teams but Team USA lead at the half 45-33. Great performances by duo Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose helped Team USA create a nice lead at the half.
Navarro and Rubio have showed their quality and Gasol down low it was hard to stop Spain after the 3rd quarter as they eased back into the game. During the 4th quarter Spain stuck in it until the end. Top plays by Navarro, Gasol and Rubio helped them gain the first lead with 2mins left to go in the game. In the end, Team USA up by one 86-85, Spain with possession but an important defensive stop by Kevin Durant gave them the win.
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant (25 pts, 9/16, )
BOX SCORE
SPAIN 85 (16+17+25+27)Calderón (-), Navarro (20), Rudy Fernández (5), Garbajosa (4) y Marc Gasol (17) –starters– Mumbrú (3), Ricky Rubio (7), Reyes (16), Llull (4), Vázquez (8), San Emeterio (-), Claver (1).
USA (23+22+24+17): Rose (13), Billups (10), Durant (25), Iguodala (4) y Odom (12) –starters– Westbrook (8), Chadler (3), Rudy Gay (4), Curry (7), Gordon (-).
With the marks of top Spanish National teams and figures such as Rafael Nadal who just won the Wimbledon after a 44 year drought for Spanish Players and the Spanish Soccer team who also won the Euro2008 after not winning in the 40s. The national teams for Spain both women and men are hoping to follow in those footsteps in Pekin during the Olympic Summer Basketball Games!