The United States men’s national basketball team shook off a loss to France in their opening game—their first Olympic defeat since 2004—with a resounding 120-66 victory over Iran on Tuesday evening in Tokyo. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard stole the show with a game-high 21 points, one of six Americans in double-figure scoring. Hamed Haddidi, the only player on Iran’s roster with NBA experience, tied for the team lead with 14 points.
Lillard hits first 3⁄4 threes, plays whole first quarter, also three assists
starts 3/3 in 2nd
US pushing pace, crisp passing, hot from three (6-12 in 1st) 13/21 at half
Iran playing through Haddadi
Night and Day
Team USA came out of the gates looking like a completely different team than the one that took the court against France just two days ago.