Chauncey Billups scored the USA's first five points and finished with 12 points and four assists as the USA easily handled Croatia 106-78 Saturday night in its opening game of the 2010 FIBA World Championship.Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty ImagesSecond Quarter Dominance Propels USA To Win Over Croatia
USA Basketball website
Aug. 28, 2010 • Istanbul, Turkey
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All it took was a dominating 26-6 second quarter performance by the U.S. to end the suspense in its debut at the 2010 World Championship preliminary round opener against Croatia (0-1). With every member of the USA team scoring, the Americans started their quest for the World title with an impressive 106-78 victory Saturday night at Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.
Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers) paced the USA offense, which was the only team to break through the century scoring mark in the World Championship’s first day of action, with 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point. Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) contributed 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds; Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets) finished with 12 points and four assists; while Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) scored 10 points each. Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) led the USA on the glass, recording a game best 10 rebounds while adding seven points.
“We were pleased with the effort of our team,” said USA and Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “I thought they played us extremely well in the first quarter and then we went on a spurt … three 3-point shots that kind of broke it open. We beat a really good team tonight and we have to turn around and face another really good team tomorrow afternoon.”
Billups accounted for the USA’s first five points as the U.S. jumped out to a 7-0 lead with the game barely 1:12 old. But Croatia slowly chipped away and after Marko Banic grabbed a rebound and made the put back, Croatia had its first and only lead of the night 19-18. Westbrook made two free throws to push the USA back ahead and after the first 10 minutes the USA was holding a 22-20 lead.
Trading baskets to open the second quarter, the score stood at 24-22 in favor of the U.S. Durant quickly posted five points to launch the USA on a 12-0 run that expanded the red, white and blue’s advantage to 36-22 with 6:47 to play in quarter two.
Holding a 38-26 lead with 3:38 remaining in the second period, the U.S. brook the game wide open when Gordon drained back-to-back 3-pointers and Gay nailed a three of his own and then converted on one of two free throws to push the Americans in front 48-26 at half.
“I saw that they played zone. As long as we move the ball and if I find that open shot, I’m willing to take it and knock it down,” said Gordon.
Croatia, which made 9-of-19 shots in the first 10 minutes, was harassed into 3-of-17 shooting, including 0-of-6 from 3-point, in the second stanza, while the U.S. hit 9-of-17 shots in the second quarter.
The USA dogging defense disrupted Croatia’s offense and for the game held them to 43.7 percent shooting from the floor overall, and 33.3 percent from 3-point. Both squads protect the ball, Croatia made 12 turnovers and the U.S. just seven.
“He (Gordon) has been consistently excellent and the guys, I know, have great confidence in him as does the staff. He probably had the hardest road to being selected for this team. He didn’t get as much playing time early and then whenever he came in, he did something really good. He’s been terrific,” remarked Krzyzewski on Gordon’s play.
In Group B’s other action Saturday, Slovenia (1-0) upended Tunisia (0-1) 80-56 and Brazil (1-0) pounded Iran (0-1) 81-65. In Group A play, Argentina (1-0) fended off Germany (0-1) 78-74, Australia (1-0) rallied in the final minute to hand Jordan (0-1) a 76-75 loss, and Serbia (1-0) easily handled Angola (0-1) 94-44. In Group C, Greece (1-0) defeated China (0-1) 89-83, Russia (1-0) knocked off Puerto Rico (0-1) 75-66, and host Turkey (1-0) rolled over Ivory Coast (0-1) 86-47. Group D results saw Lithuania (1-0) beat New Zealand (0-1) 92- 79, Lebanon (1-0) surprised Canada (0-1) 81-71, while France (1-0) pulled off the upset of the night by defeating defending World Champion Spain 72-66.
The 2010 USA World Championship Team assistant coaches are Syracuse University’s Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan and Toronto Raptors head mentor Jay Triano.
The U.S. continues World Championship preliminary round play on Aug. 29 against Slovenia, a team it defeated 114-95 in 2006 World Championship preliminary play in their only prior World Championship meeting. The USA will then meet FIBA Americas Zone champion Brazil on Aug. 29. The USA-Brazil World Championship series stands at 6-5 in favor of the United States with the two teams’ last meeting in the 1998 World Championship. Following a day off on Aug. 31, the USA resumes play Sept. 1 against Asia Zone champ Iran, a team it has not faced previously in World Championship play, then closes out preliminary play with a contest versus Tunisia on Sept. 2, another team that the Americans have not met in World Championship action.
The 2010 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) World Championship for Men is being held Aug. 28- Sept. 12 in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Kayseri, Turkey. Twenty-four teams are competing in the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men and those teams were divided into four preliminary round groups consisting of six teams each.
Additional Quotes >> USA 106, Croatia 78
Aug. 28, 2010 • Istanbul, Turkey
USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University)
On the game:
We were pleased with the effort of our team. We have great respect for Croatia. Their big guys are very good. Their guard is an outstanding shooter. I thought they played us extremely well in the first quarter and then we went on a spurt … three 3-point shots that kind of broke it open. We beat a really good team tonight and we have to turn around and face another really good team tomorrow afternoon. We respect Croatia. They are well-coached and have outstanding spirit.
On Eric Gordon’s play:
He has been consistently excellent and the guys, I know, have great confidence in him as does the staff. He probably had the hardest road to being selected for this team. He didn’t get as much playing time early and then whenever he came in, he did something really good. He’s been terrific.
Has Kevin Love found his niche on the team?
He’s been outstanding. Rebounds per minutes, he’s off the charts. He’s fundamentally sound and he’s a two-handed rebounder. He’s getting his minutes … he was hurt for a little bit so that confused where he was on the team. We have a lot of confidence in Kevin.
On the USA’s starting backcourt:
You have a veteran who has won an NBA championship (Billups) and you have a great player, a great young player in Derrick and that combination is really good. I think they blended very well, but if Derrick is out of the game, I can put Chauncey at the point also. No one is going to play 40 full minutes in a game.
What did you think of your bench and how do you approach every game?
Overall, we played well offensively. I didn’t think our bench as well defensively which that’s a concern. But, we have a balanced team. It could be two guys who look really good, outstanding … the rest of them look good one game and then two different guys will do that. We have confidence in our bench. We came in expecting a tough game and we got it for a quarter and because we expected that, we played better and we expect it tomorrow and the next day. We have to expect it every day. The thing that we have learned in the five years I’ve been the national coach is just accept every game and play each game really hard. And, our team is trying to do that.
Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks)
On Eric Gordon:
Every practice, every exhibition game, he’s been incredible for us. He scores the ball. I didn’t realize the way he scores the ball.
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
On the game overall, how did it feel to get out there?
It felt good. To really play a game when they count, it felt good and everybody came out and contributed. That’s what I like to see. Defensive effort was great. We got a lot of things to work on though.
What happened in the second quarter to change the game?
Our point guards, D-Rose and Chauncey, they said we got to build a big lead. We got three games in three nights and we wanted to build a big lead. We came out and were scrapping on the defensive end and guys made shots. We made the easy plays.
On only seven turnovers by the USA:
That’s what we need. We can’t turn the ball over here. Teams capitalize on that. Everybody did a great job of finding the open man and also making shots.
What are the areas of improvement after tonight?
We got to improve on our defensive rebounding. We got to continue to make the easy play, I think and guys just got to shoot shots. Sometimes we overpass and the defense gets set like that. We got to drive and kick like we’ve been working on in practice and guys got to make shots.
Thoughts on playing Slovenia?
Those guys are tough. They have a big crowd here too. So, it’s going to be a tough environment for us. It’s something that we’re used to so far. Playing in Spain and playing in Greece. We know what it takes to win in a tough environment. We got to come out there and play our game.
Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies)
On the game, good to finally play in the tournament?
It was good. These ones count so it’s good to play against teams and everybody have meaning behind it.
On the second quarter run?
We just did a little bit of what we think we can do every game. We pressured them, made it tough for them to score and also scored on our end.
Was ball protection a big focus coming into the tournament?
Yeah, it’s definitely a focus for us. If we take care of the ball and we rebound, we won’t lose.
What was the environment in the arena like?
I know it’s going to be a little different tomorrow. Today was what I expected but tomorrow is going to be something else.
Thoughts on playing Slovenia?
Obviously a lot of the guys play in the league. We play against them on a day to day basis but the other guys are who we need to worry about … the other guys that do some of the things; we have to watch tape and figure out how we need to play against them.
What is focus on improving tomorrow?
Rebounding. We had a stretch where we couldn’t get a rebound during this game and that’s what hurt us in the first quarter. We can’t come into tomorrow’s game like that.
Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers)
On the two shots you hit that changed momentum:
I saw that they played zone. As long as we move the ball and if I find that open shot, I’m willing to take it and knock it down.
What are you trying to do to get open shots?
Well yeah, as long as I see them coming at me, best thing I can do is penetrate to the basket and either kick it or make it all the way to the basket. If you can keep playing inside and out, it’s going to be really successful.
Could you feel Croatia lose energy during that run?
We definitely came out very hard in the third quarter and put it away. We had good runs in the first half. The third quarter really pushed us.
What was the team’s game plan?
Same thing … to play really good defense. They’re a good 3-point shooting team and we just try to limit that and try to create steals as much as possible.
On the Croatian guards:
Their guard play is pretty good … they have pretty good guards who can really shoot. Popovich can play for his height. Their guard play is pretty good.
Do you think the Croatian teams underestimated you?
No. We’ve played against many other teams and I’ve hit 3’s against basically every team so I just try to keep on doing that against whoever we play. We’re just playing together. When we play together, anything can happen.
Who is the USA’s main competitor for the World Championship?
I don’t know. We just have to see. We played Spain earlier and they gave us a good run so they are a really good team as well.
I’m just out trying to play and competing and just trying to win this World Championship. To me, it doesn’t matter how many points I score. I just try to contribute and help this team win.
On being called too young, too small, not deep, etc.?
We like that type of adversity. People think we’re too young or too small. We’re playing well as a team and we play much faster when we’re smaller. We’re just so happy to be all part of the team.
Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers)
On the game, good to finally play in the tournament?
It was good. Training camp went well. Exhibition games went well. We are trying to take it one game at a time. Tonight really showed if we clamped down our defense, it’s going to be tough to beat us. We got to continue to focus on that area and let the game be easy for us.
On the second period run:
It started from the first possession. We really clamped down. Our point of emphasis was to make them take tough shots and make them play out of their comfort zone and we did that. They didn’t have too many turnovers – they took care of the ball, they only had two in the second quarter – but we were able to get them out of their comfort zone, get out on the break, use our athleticism and make the game easy for us.
On protecting the ball:
We just got to make simple plays. We got all the best players in the NBA … we’re all the go to guys on our team so we just need to make the game easier for each other … not press too much … just play easy basketball and defense.
What is the focus on improvement for tomorrow?
We got to play better defense. We got to follow the mode of the second quarter for the first, third and fourth quarters … put teams away early and not let them really get their confidence up.
On thoughts on playing Slovenia:
We’re going to get everyone’s best game so tomorrow, they have a few guys that play in the league. (Goran) Dragic had a great year with the Suns. I know he’s looking forward to having a good game. They are going to come out and try to have their best game.
Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
On the game:
I think we came out a little excited in the beginning to where we just wanted to go out and play because we hadn’t played in a while. We had really attack a good team. We made it easy for them in the beginning, both for their post players and their guards. They really prepared us for the game tomorrow against Slovenia. It’s going to be hard but we welcome the challenge.
On Eric Gordon’s play:
Eric is probably our best shooter on the team. He really can change the game.
On comparing his first NBA game to his first World Championship game:
It’s totally different. My first game in the NBA, I was playing against people that I looked up to when I was younger. My first game actually was against Jason Kidd in the NBA and I was in awe of even stepping on the court because I look up to him and all the great players on their team like Dirk. Here, it’s totally different where the crowd is totally different, the players are totally different, the game is different so you got to approach every game … these games, you have to come out real quick … even in the layup line, you have to go hard because if you come out drowsy, they can definitely win the game just at the beginning. So, it’s totally different and I’m just happy to be here.
Do you take on more responsibility as the starting point guard?
A little bit. When I’m on the court, yes. I know when I’m playing with Chauncey, I’m definitely comfortable out there because he’s so smart and knows so much about the game that I’m trying to – his knowledge is so high – I’m trying to get to that level. He makes everybody comfortable out there when he’s in the game because he’s a veteran and he’s been in tough situations. I’m learning from him and it’s definitely helping my game right now.
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
On the game:
We started off a little slow but we defended a lot better in the second quarter and that put us over the hump.
What happened in the second quarter to change the game?
We just picked up the defense, got out in transition, got easy baskets and got to the line and got us some free throws up.
On the team only having seven turnovers:
Myself, I had two of those. I got to be mindful of that. I think everybody else did a good job of taking care of the ball. And we did a good job of converting off the other team’s turnovers.
On tomorrow night’s game vs. Slovenia, what is the team’s focus?
Defending. It’s always going to be the focus for us. Defending and rebounding. I mean as long as we continue to defend and rebound, we’ll be ready to go.
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USA starts worlds with a shellacking of Croatia
FIBA.com
28/08/2010
ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) -The United States broke open a close game in the second quarter and stormed to a 106-78 victory over Croatia in the second Group B game of the day in the Abdi Ipecki.
The Croatians, on the back of excellent efforts from the youngsters Ante Tomic, Bojan Bogdanovic and Luksa Andric in the first quarter, out-rebounded the USA 12-9 in the first quarter and only trailed 22-20.
When the second frame got underway, the teams traded baskets before a Kevin Durant three-point play after a dunk sparked a 14-2 run that put the USA in command at 36-22.
The USA defense held Croatia to just six points in the quarter and also dominated the boards en route to a 48-26 lead at half-time.
Durant, Derrick Rose and Eric Gordon each had nine points at the break and the Americans marched to a decisive triumph.
The USA, who face Slovenia in their next game on Sunday, got 14 points Durant and 16 from Eric Gordon.
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