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(L-R) Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson and Richard Jefferson
react at the conclusion of their team's 77-71 win over Greece in
the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 17, 2004.
(Reuters) |
Allen Iverson scored 17 points despite a broken thumb on his shooting hand as the United States rebounded from
a shock opening game loss to beat Greece 77-71 at the men's Olympic basketball
tournament on Tuesday.
Humbled by a 92-73 loss to
Puerto Rico on Sunday, the US team tried to pass more and play the team
game coach Larry Brown said was lacking.
The Americans continued to shoot poorly from the outside but Iverson
put them ahead at the half 37-31 with several key plays and 13 points.
Battling a hostile crowd
that booed the US players every time they touched the ball and shook the
rafters with each Greek score, the Americans tried to push the ball inside
to Tim Duncan, who had only one point in the first half.
But several turnovers cost the Americans and the lead quickly
evaporated in the first minute
of the second half. Duncan then went on a rampage, scoring 13 points in six minutes to
restore the lead for good.
But he also picked up a couple of quick fouls and was forced to sit,
allowing Greece to pull back to within one point with six minutes to play.
The Greeks could not find the mark when they needed to most, though,
missing several open shots near the end and the US closed out the
game.
.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-08-18 11:10