Tokyo 2020: the United States left the confusion behind, is in the final and goes for the gold in basketball

08/05/2021 3:41 AM

• Clarín.com

• sports

Updated 08/05/2021 3:41 AM

The United States overcame its bewilderment before a

magnificent first half

by Australia, which exposed the weaknesses of the American team for two quarters, to recover in the third in pursuit of the goal that brought them to Tokyo 2020: the final for the gold of the Olympic Games.

As Spain had done for very brief moments in the quarterfinal duel, Australia really disturbed the North American stars, drying up their triplet success in a start in which they

won by 13 points

(31-44, min. 16 ), but the team led by Gregg Popovich rebuilt their figure before the break, and

swept

after the interval.

Once the Americans recovered,

there was no more game.

Kevin Durant was once again the spirit of this team (23 points, 9 rebounds), Devin Booker his legs to run into the open field (20) and

Jrue Holiday

his hands to regain the defensive tone lost in the first half (11 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists).

Again, the Australian team stays on the shore.

After overwhelming Argentina in the quarterfinals (97-59), he sought an active defense and fast basketball, captained by

Patty Mills

(15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists) and with the pungent presence of

Dante Exum

(14 points, 4 rebounds) but to no avail.

Gregg Popovich gestures.

Patty Mills passes in front.

They both shared the glory with Manu Ginobili at the San Antonio Spurs.

Photo Aris MESSINIS / AFP

It is not enough to start well against the American team, you

have to drag it to an even end

, as France did.

The French team, or the sensation of the tournament, Luka Doncic's Slovenia, will complete the final.

Australia started out

being intense in defense

, causing five American losses in the first ten minutes,

and not failing

their options.

A triple by Exum, a run by Mills and a mate by Nic Kay started his escape (10-18, min. 6).

The

'Boomers'

had managed to dry the mana of the American triples, who did not score

any of their six attempts

in the first quarter, as well as

hit 4 of the 6

they had (67%) and cause

five

American

losses

in ten minutes, baggage enough to win 24-18 at the end of the first quarter.

The United States

began to despair

, because the Australian team defended and ran, with Exum and

Matisse Thybulle

as agitators, although the second was

overstated

with an unsportsmanlike foul that brought the Americans closer, still very far (41-30).

Mills took a very distant triple to put the 44-31 and

jump all the alarms

of Popovich's men, although shortly after

the shots began to enter

the Americans: Booker opened the ban and was followed by Jayson Tatum.

Durant and Holiday continued the effort to reduce ocean rent: 52-45 at halftime.

Keldon Johnson, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, part of this 2021 version of the American "Dream Team".

Photo Aris MESSINIS / AFP

Holiday finished the work of the comeback as soon as the third set started, and a new game began.

As against Spain, the US team adjusted its defense,

Durant emerged as the leader

scoring two and three against

an overwhelmed Australia

.

Kay and Joe Ingles

tried to revive a team that was outmatched, which was already allowing the Americans to run out into the open.

Zach LaVine

crashed just before the end of the third quarter, ending with a passport-sounding 74-53 in the final.

From then on, the United States was comfortable, rebounded, controlled the game and hit three.

Booker hit again to take the difference beyond 20 points (86-63, min. 34).

Mills continued to believe, but it was almost like searching for water in the desert.

In fact, the point guard ended up on the bench when his coach already realized that the duel was done and the Americans were having fun, again with LaVine hanging with two hands in a 'show' in pure NBA style.

The United States is already where it wanted, in the final, and its rival will be France or Slovenia.

Kevin Durant salutes at the end of the game.

It is one triumph of Olympic gold.

Photo Aris MESSINIS / AFP

- Data sheet:

97 - United States:

Lillard (5), Booker (20), Holiday (11), Durant (23), Adebayo (3) -the starting five-, Grant, Green (2), Johnson, LaVine (9), McGee ( 4), Middleton (11) and Tatum (9).

78 - Australia:

Mills (15), Dellavedova, Landale (11), English (9), Kay (7) -initial quintet-, Exum (14), Goulding (8), Green, Thybulle (6), Sobey ( 5) and Reath (3).

Referees:

Ademir Zurapovic (BIH), Michael Weiland (CAN) and Manuel Mazzoni (ITA).

Eliminated by five personal fouls the American Draymond Green (min. 37).

Incidents:

first semifinal of the men's basketball tournament of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, played at the Saitama Super Arena, without spectators due to the sanitary measures against the coronavirus pandemic. 

EFE

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