Damian Lillard Helps Team USA Snap Losing Skid With Win Over Argentina
Jul 13, 2021, 6:05 PM
Damian Lillard #6 of the United States brings the ball up the court against the Australia Boomers during an exhibition game at Michelob Ultra Arena ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 12, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Australia defeated the United States 91-83. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Damian Lillard dropped 13 points as Team USA snapped their two game losing skid with a 108-80 win over Argentina on Tuesday afternoon.
USA basketball played Argentina in their third exhibition game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada before the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant led the way for the United States with 17 points apiece. Zach LaVine added 15 points, while Damian Lillard chipped in 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and one block on 3-of-8 shooting from the three-point line.
For Argentina, Luis Scola had 16 points, Nicolas Laprovittola poured in 13 points and Facundo Campazzo scored 12 points.
Back on track. pic.twitter.com/tPKwgIhfLx
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 14, 2021
Team USA came out firing as Kevin Durant knocked down two three-points to get things started. Damian Lillard also hit a triple and the United States had a 15-4 lead early in the first quarter. Team USA held a 33-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bradley Beal led the way with 10 points.
In the second quarter, USA outscored Argentina 25-23 and took a 58-42 lead into the halftime break. In the first half, Kevin Durant had 14 points to lead the way. Damian Lillard added 13 points and Bradley Beal poured in 12 points.
Luis Scola and Nicolas Laprovittola led Argentina with nine points apiece.
Double-digit lead at the half.
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x Road To Tokyo pic.twitter.com/BEA2OSjnY5
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 13, 2021
The third quarter was much of the same. Team USA couldn’t break away but kept Argentina at a safe distance. The United States had an 81-62 lead at the end of the third.
Team USA slowly pulled away from Argentina in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
USA Basketball improved their exhibition record to 1-2. They will next be in action on Friday, July 16 with a rematch against Australia. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. MDT and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network.
The Tokyo Olympics begin on July 23, 2021. Click here for KSL Sports’ exclusive coverage of the Games.
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