Author:
Fonet
The loss was Serbia-Montenegro's first in its new arena. The home team earlier in the week won the FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament with a 3-0 record.
After a 95-78 drubbing at the hands of Italy and a narrow 80-77 win over Germany at a tournament in Cologne this week, the U.S. looked more like the team tipped as clear favorites to win the Olympic gold medal in Athens this month.
Relying on a 14-0 run to start the second quarter that was fueled by four points each from NBA rookies LeBron James and from Dwyane Wade, the Americans opened up a 32-17 advantage and never allowed the defending world champions an opportunity to climb back into contention. Going on to post the 76-60 win, the closest Serbia and Montenegro was able to get the rest of the way was 14 points late in the third and fourth quarters.
Igor Rakocevic had 18 points for home team. As a team, Serbia-Montenegro shot 35.0 percent (21-60 FGs), including just 1-for-14 from 3-point.
Exhibition basketball match, Belgrade, SERBIA-MONTENEGRO, August 6, 2004
SERBIA-MONTENEGRO - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 60-78 (17-20, 9-22, 19-20, 15-16)
Belgrade's Arena Hall. Attendance: 16,200.
SERBIA&MONTENEGRO: Vladimir Radmanovic 4, Igor Rakocevic 18, Nenad Krstic 3, Milos Vujanic 9, Dejan Tomasevic 6 (6 rebounds), Dejan Bodiroga 14, Petar Popovic, Vlado Scepanovic 3, Vule Avdalovic 2, Aleksandar Pavlovic 1.
UNITED STATES: Allen Iverson 9, Stephon Marbury 4, Tim Duncan 16, Lamar Odom 9, Richard Jefferson 5, Dwyane Wade 4, Carlos Boozer 4, Carmelo Anthony 6, LeBron James 11, Shawn Marion 10 (8 rebounds).