Published: 7/26/2008 06:17:00
USA dominate Canada in Olympic warm-up
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP)
Carmelo Anthony of the USA basketball team drives against Levon Kendall of the Canadian team during the 2008 State Farm Basketball Challenge exhibition game at the Thomas & Mack Center July 25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Michael Redd scored 20 points apiece Friday as the USA dominated Canada 120-65 in a Beijing Olympic basketball tune-up.
Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Michael Redd scored 20 points apiece Friday as the USA dominated Canada 120-65 in a Beijing Olympic basketball tune-up.
Chris Paul handed out eight assists for the United States, who will play two warm-up games in Macao and two more in Shanghai before their Olympic opener in Beijing against hosts China on August 10.
Team USA, stocked with National Basketball Association stars, had been practicing against a select team of NBA players in training camp here.
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James injured his right ankle in a scrimmage Tuesday when he landed on the foot of reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant.
As a result, James did not play on Friday, but he wasn't needed as the United States outscored Canada 34-18, in the third quarter en route to taking a 95-56 advantage entering the final period.
Team USA also owned a 48-14 advantage in the paint.
The United States are vying to regain international basketball glory for the first time since claiming Olympic gold in 2000.
Team USA was embarrassed en route to winning bronze medals in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 World Championships.
(left to right) Carlos Boozer, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant, of the USA Basketball team talk on the bench during the 2008 State Farm Basketball Challenge exhibition game against Canada at the Thomas & Mack Center July 25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The USA dominated Canada 120-65 in the Beijing Olympic basketball tune-up.
Since those debacles, Team USA has been restructured - starting at the top. USA Basketball hired veteran NBA executive Jerry Colangelo as the architect of the squad and appointed iconic Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski as coach.
Players since have been forced to commit to Team USA for three years to foster the kind of continuity other international teams possess.
The move showed in the teamwork on display Friday, including in a pair of fast breaks early in the fourth quarter.
Jason Kidd lobbed a looping lead pass to Anthony, who then shoveled another feed to set up a monster dunk by Chris Bosh.
On the next possession for the Americans, Wade - who is recovering from knee and shoulder surgeries - finished with a spectacular windmill dunk.
The US shot 66 percent from the field, including 11-of-22 from three-point range.
Jermaine Anderson scored 18 points for Canada.
© 2008 AFP
26/07/2008
04:08:08 UST
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