Leonard made his free throw as well, and the American team scored 5 points in a row to start the game.

"Go China!"

Despite the bad start, the Chinese fans present took the initiative to cheer for the Chinese team.

However, the American team's defense was as solid as a rock. After being forced to pass the ball to Tang Tian again, Ding Yanyuhang's sudden stop jump shot was interfered with by James.

The Chinese team still couldn't score!

Durant attacked again in the frontcourt, and this time he drew a shooting foul on Ding Yanyuhang.

Li Chunjiang stood on the sidelines cursing, but his expression was a bit helpless.

The addition of James and Davis has greatly improved the American team's ability on both offense and defense.

Durant made both free throws despite the interference.

7 to 0!

The American team gave the Chinese team a resounding blow to start the game.

Tang Tian dribbled the ball forward again. This time, he changed his offensive style, passing the ball to Ding Yanyuhang and then starting to run off the ball.

Originally, after patting his teammates on the head at the beginning of the game, he wanted to use pick-and-rolls to attack, but the American team's help defense was in place, and the "Stone Buddha's" 10% stability didn't work.

In other words, other than him, everyone else, including Lin Yi, was being suppressed in their matchups, so he could only shift from organizing to scoring.

He had to open up a further level of defensive containment in order to revitalize the team.

Just like he did in the World Cup last year.

Catching the ball after running, he did a sudden stop jump shot over James.

"Swish!"

The basketball went into the net.

The pre-game head pats also included a self-pat. Tang Tian's shooting was as steady as ever.

This basket finally helped the Chinese team break the scoring drought on the court.

But in the next possession, Durant broke through Ding Yanyuhang, forced Lin Yi to help defend, and then passed the ball to Davis under the basket. Davis had a two-handed dunk!

The Chinese team felt like the Japanese team playing against China when facing this American team. It was difficult to limit the American team's offense on the defensive end!

This became a microcosm of the first quarter.

The American team had multiple scoring options, while the Chinese team relied more on Tang Tian's individual scoring.

Although Tang Tian scored an efficient 13 points in the first quarter and the defense improved in the second half, the Chinese team still trailed the American team by 10 points, 18-28, after the first quarter.

After the first quarter, American fans on social media were collectively ecstatic.

"This is the real difference in strength between the two teams. It's not that the Chinese team played poorly, it's that our Dream Team is too strong!"

"When Durant, James, and Leonard start together, the opponent is always mismatched on both offense and defense. That's what makes this Dream Team so terrifying!"

"With excellent help defense and rotation, Tang's teammates are no longer magical, and the Chinese team is destined to be defeated in this game!"

"I still respect Tang very much, but basketball is a game of five people. We can finally take back the Olympic championship we lost before!"

"Although we sent out the strongest lineup, just like LeBron winning the championship with the Heat, people will only remember the championship in the future, and not the process."

"Come on, I can't wait to see the Star-Spangled Banner played at the Olympic venue!"

……

At the beginning of the second quarter, the American team had an all-bench lineup: Irving, Harden, George, Towns, and Drummond.

Just looking at this rotation puts pressure on you.

The Chinese team had Guo Ailun, Ding Yanyuhang, Zhou Peng, Yi Jianlian, and Zhou Qi.

The two teams' lineups seemed to be vastly different in strength, but the game wasn't completely one-sided.

The two veterans, Yi Jianlian and Zhou Peng, set an example, and the players all played very hard.

But no matter how hard they tried, the score difference was still widening bit by bit.

By the time the starters were substituted back in, the Chinese team was already trailing the American team by 15 points, 22-37.

Compared to a year ago, the difficulties the Chinese team faced tonight were much greater.

"Xiao Lin, let's run a pick-and-roll."

When he came on the court, Tang Tian pulled Lin Yi aside and said.

"But the coach just told you to play... okay, let's run a pick-and-roll."

Lin Yi reacted quickly.

"Put the ball in."

Tang Tian didn't explain much and made a direct request to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi nodded quickly.

Davis suppressed him in all aspects except height, and he hadn't had much opportunity to perform from the start of the game until now.

He couldn't ask for anything more than Tang Tian saying this to him now.

After the timeout, in the Chinese team's possession, Tang Tian held the ball at the top of the arc without directly attacking.

After signaling everyone else to spread out, he had Lin Yi come to the high post at the top of the arc to set a pick.

After the pick, he broke open and drove to the basket.

The American team's main defense was on Tang Tian. Davis topped him in front, and Durant chased him from behind. The two sandwiched him in the middle like a hamburger.

Tang Tian didn't have a good shooting opportunity after breaking through to a step inside the free throw line.

But he didn't intend to shoot. With a no-look behind-the-back pass, the ball flew directly to Lin Yi at the top of the arc.

In the American team's help defense rotation, James directly pounced on Lin Yi.

However, Lin Yi was very decisive after receiving the ball. Without the slightest hesitation, he shot a three-pointer directly.

James' help defense arrived, but the height difference limited the interference he could provide.

"Swish!"

Lin Yi made the first three-pointer of the game!

The Tian-Yi combination!

"Beautiful!"

Su Qun, in the broadcast booth, couldn't help but shout.

The rest of the Chinese team only scored 5 points combined in the first quarter, and now they desperately needed others to stand up and score.

Tang Tian also gave Lin Yi a thumbs up as he retreated on defense.

This three-pointer was crucial.

Back on the defensive end, Tang Tian also signaled the team to play a 2-1-2 zone defense, with him positioned at the free throw line.

James organized at the free throw line, making a pinpoint pass to Leonard, who was cutting in.

However, Tang Tian was quick-witted and touched the ball. Although he didn't intercept it, the angle of the ball changed.

Leonard didn't get the ball, but Lin Yi was tall and had long arms, plus the speed that he shouldn't have at his height, and directly grabbed the ball.

The Tian-Yi combination had a beautiful offensive play earlier, and this time they had a beautiful defensive play.

And this was also one of the few successful defenses for the Chinese team tonight.

The American team retreated quickly, not giving the Chinese team a chance to launch a fast break.

Tang Tian advanced to the frontcourt, still playing the same way as before.

The American team still chose to double-team Tang Tian and leave Lin Yi open.

Lin Yi's 39% shooting percentage in the Olympics so far was already very high for a center, especially in Olympic-level events.

But such a shooting percentage was obviously not enough to kill the game, so the American team's strategy was completely fine.

Tang Tian still chose to make a behind-the-back pass.

Lin Yi received the ball again. This time, James' help defense came earlier, and Lin Yi was more interfered with when he shot.

The Chinese fans at the scene couldn't help but feel a knot in their hearts when Lin Yi shot.

Whether this ball went in was even more critical than the previous one, because it could potentially change the American team's defensive strategy.

Popovich also watched the basketball spinning in the air intently. He didn't want to be forced to change his defensive strategy either.

"Swish!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the basketball went into the net again!

Lin Yi, made two three-pointers in a row!

The Tian (gua) Yi (bi) combination!