US struggles to beat Russia

Source: Agencies  |   2008-8-4  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

KOBE Bryant provided the offense in the United States Olympic team's first defensive struggle.

Bryant scored 19 points, Carmelo Anthony added 17, and the Americans beat Russia 89-68 yesterday in Shanghai in what was by far their most competitive tuneup yet for the Beijing Games.

The US had scored 118 points per game while winning its first three exhibitions by an average of 41 points. Russia allowed far fewer fast-break baskets than its previous opponents, successfully keeping the game in the halfcourt and forcing the Americans to run more offensive sets.

That was fine with Bryant, who scored 12 points after halftime in his highest-scoring game so far.

Dwyane Wade continued his strong play off the bench with 16 points for the Americans, who play their final exhibition game tomorrow against Australia.

Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko scored 18 points and American point guard Jon Robert Holden added 17 for the European champion.

The defensive tone of the game brought an early entrance of Tayshaun Prince, who had played little in the first three games. Kirilenko had an early block on Anthony's shot, but the Americans pulled away to a 29-17 advantage on Deron Williams' three-pointer with about four seconds left.

Russia kept the deficit right around 10 for most of the second quarter before Wade gave the US some breathing room before the half. He followed his soft running jumper with a steal and dunk, making it 43-29, and his free throw in the final second extended the lead to 46-31.

The Americans were held to just 17 points in the period, their worst quarter so far.

The sellout crowd of 14,523 clearly favored the US team, and Bryant seemed to be the fans' favorite. They chanted "MVP!" when he shot free throws early in the game, booed when he was called for an offensive foul in the second quarter, and generally oohed and aahed whenever he squared up to take a shot.