Team USA moved to 2-0 in pre-Olympic play after defeating China 106-57 on Sunday night.
2016 USA Basketball Showcase at Oracle Arena
USA vs. ChinaTuesday, July 26 @ 7:00 p.m.
Team USA won its second consecutive Showcase exhibition game after defeating China 106-57 on Sunday night. The U.S. Men’s national team never trailed in the contest, building an early lead that they’d never relinquish. Kevin Durant scored a game-high 19 points to go along with five assists, while Klay Thompson wasn’t far behind with 17 points of his own.
None of the Warriors’ three Olympians started the contest, but they still managed to have a large impact in the early going. Team USA and China combined to make only three of their first 20 shots of the game, after which Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson checked in for the first time. 31 seconds later, Durant found Thompson for a three-pointer, and that seemed to open the floodgates. Durant would find DeMarcus Cousins on their next offensive possession for a three-point play, and follow that up with back-to-back three-pointers of his own to ignite an 11-0 run for Team USA. Durant and Thompson would then contribute assists on back-to-back Jimmy Butler baskets, as the two Warriors played an integral role in the U.S. Men’s National Team’s ability to open up a big lead early on. Durant, who was fouled on a three-point attempt with 4.2 seconds left, sank all three free throws to put Team USA up 26-13 at the end of one quarter. Thompson would then open the second frame with back-to-back treys, and the rout was on.
Draymond Green started the second half, and opened the scoring with an alley-oop pass to DeAndre Jordan. When he subbed out midway through the third quarter, his two Golden State teammates re-entered, and Thompson took the reins. His three-pointer from the corner began a stretch in which he’d scored seven-consecutive points for Team USA, giving them their largest lead of the game up to that point. Durant would add his fourth three-pointer of the night in the fourth quarter, tying him with Thompson for the game-high from long range. By the time it was all over, Durant and Thompson had the two highest point totals in the game, as Team USA ran away with a 106-57 blowout victory.
Up next for Team USA is a rematch against China at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night, in what should be a delight for Golden State fans, who will get to see their three Olympians playing together in-person for the first time.
