TEAM USA STRUGGLES TO BEAT PARKER-LESS FRANCE IN RIO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Aug 2016
The United States which has struggled to beat opposing teams in the Rio Olympic Games had a hard time against France, winners of the Manila Qualification Tournament even though the French missed their NBA star Tony Parker who was rested because of a sore toe on Sunday.
The Americans opened up a 16-point lead late in the third quarter but failed to slam the door shut on France and only won, 100-97.
Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson was outstanding leading the Americans with 30 points while Thomas Heurtel, one of France's less celebrated players, according to FIBA "was arguably the best player in the game with 18 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds."
The USA won for the fifth time in as many games to clinch first place in Group A while France saw their three-game winning streak come to an end and will go into the Quarter-Finals with a 3-2 record.
France cut the USA lead to just four points in the fourth quarter after a drive by Joffrey Lauvergne but not long after, a steal by Carmelo Anthony triggered a fast break and led to one of the best plays of the Olympics.
FIBA reported that "Kyrie Irving was falling down but managed to deliver a perfect alley-oop pass to Kevin Durant and that sparked a run for the Americans that put them in front by 10."
Thompson finally had the three-point shooting eruption that everyone was expecting and reminded everyone that he was one of the Americans' best players at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Golden State Warriors superstar entered the game shooting just 19 percent from behind the arc but he drilled 7 of his 13 attempts (54 percent) against France. Irving also had 12 assists to go with his 10 points.
FIBA said the bottom line was that the USA "were not convincing winners, but winners nonetheless. Everyone is wondering when this team will start locking teams down on offense as they have done in most games during coach Mike Krzyzewski's 10-year reign."
France's defeat to Australia now seems like a long time ago. To push the USA as close as they did without the services of Tony Parker, who was rested because of a sore toe, suggests they have good things ahead. France have several NBA players and others like Heurtel and Nando de Colo that are outstanding and possess a lot of national team experience.
Photo: Klay Thompson (L) scored 30 points in USA's 100-97 defeat of France in the ongoing Rio Olympics.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Team USA Captures Two Wins on Day Three of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sun, 07 Sep 2025McCormack Stops Parra in 9
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Monika Singh Makes History as India's Newest Youth World Champion
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Who is Nico Walsh?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Kelvin Watts Highlights Day Two of World Boxing Championships for Team USA
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina
Sat, 06 Sep 2025WEIGHTS FROM LOS MOCHIS: Eduardo Nuñez - 130 Lbs., Christopher Diaz - 129.6 Lbs.
Sat, 06 Sep 2025“THE HOMECOMING” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
Sat, 06 Sep 2025‘SUGAR’ NUNEZ VS. ‘PITUFO’ DIAZ – PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Sat, 06 Sep 2025SUNDERLAND: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 06 Sep 2025USA Boxing Nabs Perfect Outing on Day One of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sat, 06 Sep 2025