Team USA Basketball Has Mighty Second Half Run To Destroy Slovenia! Americans March Into Semifinals Versus Jonas Valanciunas And Lithuania!

Team USA Basketball asserted its dominance in the international arena as they dumped Slovenia 119-76 behind an unbelievable second half run.

Slovenia wanted to make game of it, and finished the first half with an 8-3 run that put them to within seven points of the defending champions. After the half, the US scored 70 points while Slovenia could only muster 34.

ESPN had their take of the action:

"Against a team it comfortably manhandled in an exhibition game in Gran Canaria exactly two weeks earlier, Team USA missed nine of its first 10 shots from the field, watched captain James Harden miss his first nine shots overall and was ahead by a mere seven points at intermission. 

Eventually, though, Team USA's athleticism and depth did its damage and erupted for a 70-point second half that delivered the quarterfinal rout. 

Coach Mike Krzyzewski came in touting the Slovenians as an "unusual team" to defend and lauded them for having "the most experienced perimeter [rotation] in the tournament outside of Spain." 

And Phoenix Suns star Goran Dragic was not limited to less than 25 minutes of court time, like he was before the tournament began, as had been stipulated by an agreement struck between the Slovenian federation and the Suns."

That took its toll on the Slovenians as they looked lost without their team captain. Slovenia is well-coached fluid team but they do not have as much as talent as Spain, France or Brazil. Goran Dragic of the Suns is their lone active NBA player.

More notes:

"Derrick Rose finished with 12 points after coming into the game shooting 8 for 37 in the World Cup. Anthony Davis had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns led Slovenia with 13 points."

Slovenia coach Zdovic Jure appeared hapless: "We prepare but it's easy to prepare on the paper. Definitely they were so athletic, they were more aggressive second half and actually they punish every mistake."

Team USA has yet to be significantly challenged. Turkey had them for three quarters; Slovenia was close in a half. Will Lithuania prove worthy? They have MVP candidate Jonas Valanciunas in the middle.