Another blow-out game for Team USA. This is the third exhibition game that the U.S. has won by a 30 point deficit or more. They defeated Lithuania in a 120-84 victory and proceed with a 3-0 record.
Howard dominates the first quarter
The first quarter featured the “Kobe and Dwight Show,” combining a total of 19 points in the first quarter. Within three minutes into the game, the U.S. took a commanding lead with 24-5. Dwight Howard led the pack with three consecutive shots, scoring 10 points in the first quarter along with the Black Mamba [Bryant] who nailed two jumpers and a beautiful three.
Lithuania caught up in the beginning of the second half, raining threes to put themselves back in the game. As ESPN.com notes, Jasikevicius had a rare open look and hit the final one to cut the U.S. lead to 61-52 with 7:10 remaining in the third quarter. However, towards the end of the third, Chris Paul sent a alley-oop in D-Wade’s direction for a double-pump dunk. The crowd stood on their feet as they shouted and cheered for the dunk.
D-Wade makes a sick pass
Although Howard and Kobe kicked off the start of the game, Dwyane Wade was certainly the player to watch. He received the MVP of the game, putting up 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block. Dwight had the second most with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.
I must admit, I was surprised seeing Dwight steal so many balls. We’re used to seeing him record 3-5 blocks in a game, but three steals seems even more impressive in my eyes. It just goes to show how much the U.S. have worked on their defense. The team had a field goal percentage of 64.0%, 44.0% in three pointers, and a total of 34 assist. I especially enjoy seeing the high totals of assists which show you that the superstars can work together. Before the Dream Team in 1992 played, many critics feared such famous and skilled players would not know how to work together. This is definitely not the case. Every player on the U.S. roster scored in today’s game.
Team USA plays Russia on August 3. Check your local listing or go to ESPN.com for schedule times. If you missed today’s game against Lithuania, you can watch the recap at 3 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Hopefully we’ll have the privilege to watch the U.S. crush another team by 30, 40, or even 50 points.
exhibition doesn’t mean anything. i’m sure the euro teams are holding back when they play us. just like how argentina didnt play us hard last summer cuz it didn’t matter.
By: simeon on August 1, 2008
at 6:48 PM
People keep on saying that teams are holding back when they play the US, it might be true. But I also would like to say that the team is getting better and better in playing together. Dwight Howard recording 3 steals, that unbelievable!!! its a sign that the defense is way better than last year or 4 years ago. If euro teams are holding back when they play us, they’re in deep trouble because they will have to have to find a way to beat a team that will get better than the time they played them.
By: Igor on August 1, 2008
at 9:15 PM