Argentina takes Iran in pre-Olympics showdown

Luis Scola scored 23 points for Argentina (Photo credit: CFP)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, July 29) -- With a well-coordinated offense, Argentina was able to push ahead of Iran in the second quarter to enjoy a game-long lead, finally winning 81-71 in the first game of the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Diamond Ball for Men Tournament in Nanjing, China.

Each team had three standout players with double-digit scoring, Argentina's Luis Scola leading the game at 23 points. His teammates Carlos Delfino and Emanuel Ginobili came in with 18 and 15 respectively, and center Hamed Ehadadi led Iran with 20 points, followed by Mohammed Samad Nikkhah Bahrami with 18 and Javad Davari with 14.

The first quarter ended at a 24-24 deadlock, but in the second quarter Iran began to look a little shaky on their own possessions, racking up the turnovers and allowing Argentina to pull ahead 38-32 with three minutes left.

Iran had several chances at the free throw line after Davari drew two fouls from Argentina within eight seconds of each other, requiring a substitution after the second foul with 2:31 on the clock and the score 38-34.

When the buzzer sounded at the end of the second quarter, Argentina had managed a seven point lead, 42-35, which was in fact their biggest lead of the half. It was clear that Iran was getting beat on the turnovers, already reaching 13, although they compensated by crashing the boards harder than Argentina, with 13 offensive rebounds and 5 on defense. Scola was the high scorer of the first half, already with an impressive 17 points.

Ginobili reminded Iran he could not be ignored by opening the third quarter with a dunk, and Argentina brought their lead to a steady 10 points, which they held throughout the rest of the game. They showed their 2004 Olympic gold medal wasn't for nothing, continuing to create opportunities with orchestrated picks and screens, as well as a heavy reliance on the swing pass.

Argentina and Iran will both compete in group A in the 2008 Beijing Games, and will face each other in Olympics play on August 16.