The 2016 Rio Olympics Menβs Basketball tournament kicked off today with an emphatic win by Australia over France. It was followed by easy victories for title favorite Team USA and Euro powerhouse Serbia.
*The following also appears on FIBA.com.
AUS over FRA, 87-66
Australia landed telling blows in the third quarter and beat France, 87-66, on the opening day of the Olympic Basketball Tournament.
Pat Mills led the Boomers with 21 points and Aron Baynes provided a huge presence under the basket for most of the contest. Andrew Bogut, who has battled back from a knee injury picked up in the NBA Finals to make his country's roster, had 18 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds and 5 assists in a complete performance.
Tony Parker paced France with 18 points on 6-of-14 FG shooting.
USA over CHN, 119-62
The USA blew away China in the first quarter and stormed to a 119-62 victory on the opening night of the Olympic Basketball Tournament.
Kevin Durant, the United States' 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP, led the way with 25 points as the Americans thrilled the crowd with a rout of last year's FIBA Asia Championship winners. Durant led the scoring, but you can't argue with the toughness that DeMarcus Cousins, who had 17 points and 5 rebounds, brings the Americans on the interior. He may end up being their most valuable player this summer.
Yi Jianlian had 25 points and 6 rebounds to lead China.
SRB over VEN, 86-62
Serbia needed almost a full quarter to hit their stride but once they did, there was no stopping them.
With a significant advantage on the boards and a steady supply of points from Miroslav Raduljica, the Serbians started their Olympic campaign with a resounding 86-62 victory over Venezuela on Saturday night. Raduljica was a menace, pouring in 18 points in just over 15 minutes.
Venezuela drew 12 points and 5 boards from big man Gregory Echenique.
All images are from FIBA.
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