U.S.A.-Germany: The recap
Dwight Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Americans coasted to an easy 106-57 win over the Germans. This game was never close. The U.S. started off the proceedings on a 20-3 run and never looked back. I'm pretty sure the Memphis Grizzlies could have taken the Germans today. The Americans deserve credit for running all over Dirk Nowitzki and company early and not allowing a chance to get into the game. LeBron James had 18 points of his own, as every player on the U.S. roster made at least one basket for the second game in a row.
The United States now has to gear up for the medal round, which begins on Wednesday. The Americans will face the Australians in the quarterfinals. The Aussies gave Team U.S.A. quite a game during an Olympic tune-up in Shanghai a few weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how the U.S. responds to the challenge of facing the Australians again, especially after rolling through these prelim games.
The good news for the American coaching staff is that Howard probably has more confidence now than compared to any other part of this tournament. The Americans are going to need him to play solid defense on Andrew Bogut and clog up the lane so the Aussies can't penetrate. Bogut had 23 points in a win earlier today over Lithuania, and will give the United States a lot of problems if Howard can't body him up in the paint.
The Americans have started out this tournament exactly how everyone thought they would, but if they have one bad game all the fanfare they have built up in the last week will be quickly forgotten.
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