Damian Lillard, USA Basketball Defeat Spain, Advance To Olympic Semifinals
Aug 3, 2021, 12:23 AM | Updated: 1:57 am
Damian Lillard #6 of Team United States drives to the basket against Rudy Fernandez #5 of Team Spainduring the first half of a Men's Basketball Quarterfinal game on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 03, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Weber State star Damian Lillard and USA Basketball defeated Spain to advance to the semifinal round at the Tokyo Olympics.
Team USA played former Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio and the Spanish National Team on Monday, August 2.
Lillard and the United States won the quarterfinal contest, 95-81.
Nothing but net. 🏀#USABMNT knocks Spain out 95–81 to advance to the semifinals. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/qFOAbZNDQH
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 3, 2021
Team USA got off to a slow start and trailed Spain by two points at the end of the opening quarter.
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Rubio led Spain by scoring double-digits during the first 10 minutes of action.
The Spanish squad continued to press during the second quarter and owned a 10-point lead with less than four minutes remaining in the first half.
Kevin Durant propelled a big run and helped Team USA tie the game at 43 at halftime.
The #USABMNT defeats Spain, 95-81 to advance to the #Tokyo2020 Men's #Basketball Semifinals.
Kevin Durant: 29 PTS
Jayson Tatum: 13 PTS
Jrue Holiday: 12 PTS
Ricky Rubio: 38 PTS pic.twitter.com/3LIYUpaLM7— NBA (@NBA) August 3, 2021
During the final 20 minutes of action, the United States took control of the contest.
Despite continued great play by Rubio, the USA outscored Spain by 14 points over the final two quarters.
Kevin Durant led the USA with 29 points.
Kevin Durant vs Spain:
29 PTS
4 3PT
4 AST
3 STL
10-17 FGOn to the Semis. pic.twitter.com/o8IRBASQ8l
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 3, 2021
Lillard scored 11 points on 4-10 shooting, including 4-7 on three-pointers.
I had a chance to speak with @Dame_Lillard after @usabasketball defeated Spain in the @Tokyo2020 quarterfinals. I asked him how much support from , Utah, Ogden and @weberstate means to him as he tries to bring home the Gold. More on @KSL5TV Tuesday. #Tokyo2020 @kslsports pic.twitter.com/SHu7owuYSs
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) August 3, 2021
Rubio scored a game-high 38 points in Spain’s loss.
Ricky Rubio vs USA:
38 PTS
13-20 FG
4-7 3P
8-8 FTHe scored 38 of Spain’s 81 points (47%). pic.twitter.com/mhOeJbdiz9
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 3, 2021
Team USA’s next opponent has not been determined. With the win, the United States joined Slovenia in qualifying for the semifinals.
Italy, France, Australia, and Argentina are the remaining teams in the quarterfinal round.
