Assistant Coach Tom Thibodeau Demands Defense From Team USA

The U.S. team rested Sunday but men's basketball action continued in Rio

Tom Thibodeau's booming, baritone voice knifed through the air inside sold out Carioca Arena on Saturday as the U.S. team dropped back to play defense early in its Olympic tournament opener against China.

"Stay home!" he barked. "Back, back!" ''Get up!" ''By yourself!"

Thibodeau didn't stop, and his commands could even be heard by fans sitting in top rows of the upper deck.

From the opening tip to the final horn in the 119-62 blowout, Thibodeau, a hard-driving, hoops lifer who prides himself on teaching the old-school way, screamed instructions at the American players. They have quickly learned that their Team USA assistant coach — and the new head man with the Minnesota Timberwolves — is demanding when it comes to defense.

"I'm used to Thibs, man," U.S. center Demarcus Cousins said with a laugh. "That's Thibs in walkthrough, so we're used to it."

And the rest of the world better get used to this U.S. team playing lock-down defense. Armed with unmatched offensive firepower, the Americans, seeking their third straight gold medal, are creating an identity with their backs to the basket.

"We get after it on that side of the ball," said forward Draymond Green.

They got after China from the outset. Warriors forward Klay Thompson, one of the game's elite perimeter defenders, made a steal on China's first possession and the U.S. finished with 15 steals, forced 24 turnovers and held China to 30 percent shooting.

With another roster of NBA stars, there is a continuous red-white-and-blue wave of players flooding in from coach Mike Krzyzewski's bench. When the U.S. starters needed a break against China, Krzyzewski sent in a fresh group and Thibodeau made sure they knew what they were doing defensively from the moment they stepped on the floor.

From his seat next to Coach K's, Thibodeau pointed like a traffic cop at a busy intersection, and of course, made certain his demands were heard.

"Thibs is going to lose his voice by the time this is over with," four-time Olympian Carmelo Anthony said. "I think everybody in the world can hear Thibs on the sideline. It's motivation for us, to know that we have somebody on the sideline that's in tune to it. He's pushing us and he's keeping us uplifted."

The U.S. plays its next game on Monday against Venezuela, a team it beat by 35 last week despite a poor shooting performance.

While Team USA spent Sunday preparing for Venezuela, there was action on the court.

Croatia stuffed Spain

Dario Saric blocked Pau Gasol's shot just before time expired, preserving Croatia's 72-70 upset of Spain in an Olympic men's basketball Sunday night.

Croatia scored seven straight points to take the lead down the stretch, then held on when Saric, who was still limping a bit after banging his leg on a pick shortly before the play, rose high to block Gasol's shot under the basket.

Bojan Bogdanovic of the Brooklyn Nets scored 23 points for the Croatians, who got the tiebreaking basket from Krunoslav Simon with about 1 ½ minutes left. Saric, the former lottery pick bound for the Philadelphia 76ers, have five points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Gasol had 26 points for Spain, the silver medalists in the last two Olympics, while Nikola Mirotic added 19.

Lithuania downs Brazil

Mantas Kalnietis scored 16 as Lithuania held on for an 82-76 win over Brazil after surviving a furious comeback from the host country.

Lithuania jumped out to a 30-point lead in the second quarter and shooting a blistering 72 percent in the first half, including 6 of 9 3-pointers.

Leandro Barbosa played with constant energy in the second half, a trademark of the NBA champion's game. He scored 13 of his 21 points in the third quarter, awakening the home crowd and creating a rollicking atmosphere down the stretch as the Brazilians sung and chanted in the stands.

Brazil picked up the defense and cut the lead to four late, but couldn't complete the rally.

Paulius Jankunas finished with 15 for Lithuania and Domantas Sabonis chipped in 10.

Raul Neto had 14 for Brazil and Nene Hilario added 11.

Argentina routs Nigeria

Manu Ginobili got his fourth Olympics started with 12 points and an easy victory, as Argentina beat Nigeria 94-66 on Sunday in the final Olympic men's basketball game of the night.

Facundo Campazzo led Argentina with 19 points, while flag bearer Luis Scola had 18 for the 2004 gold medalists. Patricio Garino finished with 15 in front of crowd filled with flag-waving Argentina fans who sang and chanted for much of the night. Argentina had five players in double figure scoring as Andres Nocioni chipped in 10 points.

Ike Diogu scored 15 for Nigeria, the African champion.

[NATL] Day 2: Highlights From the Rio Olympics

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