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Durant leads US men’s basketball past Czech Republic

The U.S. men’s basketball defeated the Czech Republic, 119-84, at Saitama Super Arena on Saturday, improving to 2-1 in Group A play and advancing to the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympics.

The forceful comeback victory, keyed by Kevin Durant’s 23 points, qualified as a big relief for Team USA, which lost two July exhibitions, dropped its Olympic opener against France and trailed the Czech Republic for the entire first quarter.

Durant, who was saddled with foul trouble against France and picked his spots in a win over Iran, helped his team take control against the Czech Republic with back-to-back three-pointers in the second quarter. The first three, a pull-up from the right angle, moved him past Carmelo Anthony for the top spot on USA men’s basketball’s all-time Olympic scoring list. Durant, a two-time gold medallist, now has 354 points over three Olympics, surpassing Anthony’s 336 over four Olympics.

Tomorrow’s quarter-final fixtures will be decided in a draw.

SPORTS

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2021-08-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailylankadeepa.pressreader.com/article/281771337234058

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