USA takes down Spain with Durant’s 29, Spain’s Rubio gets into the record books against the US
Satima, Japan
USA – 95
Spain – 81
The US team held off Spain to advance to the semifinals led by Kevin Durant who had a team high 29. Jayson Tatum had 13, Jrue Holiday had 12, and Mexican American sharpshooter Devin Booker added 9 points. Although Spain was defeated, they did not go quietly into the night. Minnesota Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio was dominant against the U.S. to the tune of 38 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. And with that 38-point outburst that makes him one of the players who has scored the most against the U.S. men’s basketball team in the Olympics. Also on that list is Oscar Schmidt (Brazil) with 46 points, Butch Lee (Puerto Rico) with 35 points, Pau Gasol (Spain) with 29 points and Manu Ginobili (Argentina) with 29 points. In the first quarter, Rubio was looking close to unstoppable, dropping 13 points in the first 10 minutes while former 76ers draft pick Willy Hernangómez was a terror on the glass. Rubio carried Spain in the second half and went 13-of-20 for the game but it wasn’t enough to propel them to the victory while the rest of Team Spain went a frigid 16 of 44 from the field. Rubio wasn’t done though. He blocked Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo and continued to keep Spain afloat until Bucks champion by way of the 76ers, Jrue Holiday hit 2 three-pointers and ended Spain’s run for good. Rubio fought to the end earning a standing ovation from the crowd for his performance. The USA faces Australia in the semifinals Thursday.
Other games:
Slovenia – 94
Germany – 70
Recap: Mavericks star Luka Doncic posted a near-triple-double with 20 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists; Heat SG Zoran Dragić tallied a game-high 27 points to lead Slovenia past Germany, 94-70, and into the semifinal round to face France on Thursday.
Australia- 97
Argentina- 59
Recap: Australia were leading throughout and every player on Team Australia scored with Spurs PG Patty Mills lead the way with 18 and 76ers SF Matisse Thybulle scored 12 and grabbed five rebounds. Former NBA veteran Luis Scola will probably be playing in his last Olympics and received a thunderous ovation when going to the bench. He played in five Olympics and won gold with Argentina in 2004. Australia plays the US next in the semis.
France – 84
Italy – 75
Recap: Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert led with 22 points and 9 rebounds, while New York Knicks Evan Fournier had 21. Atlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for Italy to keep things interesting. France will play Slovenia on Thursday in the semifinals.
