No Derrick Rose, No Problem. Team USA Wins Big

21 Aug, 2014

With Rose sitting out, Kyrie Irving started and made all five shots, scoring 12 points as the U.S. national basketball team beat the Dominican Republic 105-62 on Wednesday night in an exhibition game.

James Harden also scored 12 in limited playing time for the Americans, who used their subs for most of the second half. Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan each scored 13 points.

Rose and U.S. assistant Tom Thibodeau, Rose’s coach with the Chicago Bulls, both said he was experiencing general soreness, though Rose was quick to point out it was nothing related to his multiple knee surgeries.

Rose’s absence allowed U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski to take a longer look at other players with cuts coming soon. The Americans have 16 players on the roster and have to get down to 12 before the upcoming Basketball World Cup.

“When we do eventually make decisions on the 12, it will be very, very difficult,” Krzyzewski said.

Fans chanted loudly in the third quarter for Rose to get into this one, but Krzyzewski decided shortly before tip the Chicago Bulls star wouldn’t play.

Rose had sat out practices the past two days after starting in Saturday’s exhibition victory over Brazil on his home floor, saying Tuesday he just wanted extra rest as he tries to play his way back into shape after missing most of the past two seasons because of knee surgeries.

“He’s feeling a lot better, he was probably feeling good enough to play tonight, but because he hasn’t played and he’s trying to shake off some rust, the best thing to do was to give him the day off,” Thibodeau said.

Houston Rockets forward Francisco Garcia scored 14 points for the Dominican Republic, coached by South Florida’s Orlando Antigua. The Dominicans are without their best player, the Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford, who is recovering from a torn right pectoral muscle.

AP

Image Getty

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