The U.S. was up by 16 after the first quarter and by 30 at the half. The Americans’ speed and ball rotation helped them get more than their share of open shots, particularly 3-pointers, and their defensive intensity prevented Iran from gaining any real momentum on offense. Damian Lillard led the U.S. with 21 on seven 3-pointers, six of them in the first half. “And we guarded up, so it was a good step.”Iran’s Saeid Davarpanah took a philosophical approach. “We play against superstars of the world and we just enjoy it,” he said.

Source: New York Times July 28, 2021 06:45 UTC