On Tuesday, Iverson's jump shot trimmed Italy's lead to 56-52 with just under three minutes left in the third quarter. But the Americans never got closer. On Italy's next two trips down the floor, Basile made three-pointers that stretched the underdogs' lead to 62-52.
Iverson winced when Massimo Bulleri made a three-pointer despite falling down and having the past NBA scoring champion's hand in his face late in the third quarter.
Lamar Odom battles Italy's Gianmarco Pozzecco for a rebound. "It's a young team, and it's a different game internationally," U.S. Coach Larry Brown said.
(Hermann J. Knippertz -- AP)
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| _____ Countdown to Athens _____
• The Olympics are less than a week away and organizers are pulling the pieces together for the Aug. 13 opening.
_____ From The Post _____
• Dana Vollmer will be one of those tales of courage that come up during the Olympics.
• Michael Wilbon: In Athens, the new can't hold a torch to the ancient.
• Lauryn Williams is far more interested in chasing goals she can see rather than those she can imagine.
• Notebook: Jerome Young reportedly tested positive for the banned drug EPO at a meet last month.
_____ Live Online _____
• Tony Azevedo, the top scorer on the U.S. Men's Water Polo team, took questions July 28.
• Alexander Kitroeff discussed his book, "Wrestling with the Ancients: Modern Greek Identity and the Olympics," and the history of the Games on July 27.
_____ On Our Site _____
• Photos: Swimming trials.
• Photos: Track and field trials.
_____ Swimming's Wonder Boy _____
• Phelps's main training partners and buddies reflect on blown chances. (July 27)
• Coach Bob Bowman has been the guiding force for Phelps. (July 4)
• Gallery: Coach shows the way to Athens.
• Numerous endorsements already have made Phelps a millionaire. (June 1)
• Gallery: The road to the Games are paved with gold.
• Phelps expected to be the Games' most-decorated athlete. (April 18)
• Gallery: Phelps making a splash.
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"We just didn't communicate well on defense," Iverson said.
The Americans had all sorts of problems on defense and offense, getting called for three shot-clock violations and several traveling calls in front of a crowd of 14,831.
The Italians were 15 of 35 from behind the line, while the U.S. went 4 for 13, justifying Brown's fears that his team might be short on pure shooters.
"That was a surprise," said Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, who watched the game on TV after China lost to Argentina in Belgrade. "I think they will get better in a few weeks, few days. So, no problem."
At Belgrade Arena, the crowd at the Diamond Ball Tournament for Olympic teams let out a loud cheer when the score was announced over the public address system.
"The competition out here is a lot tougher than people think it is," said Del Harris, China's Olympic coach and an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks.
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