RUS/IRI – Russia put away gritty Iran in men’s opener

BEIJING (Olympics) – Russia got 19 points from their EuroBasket 2007 hero JR Holden and pulled away from Iran in the fourth quarter for a 71-49 victory in the first game of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament.

Holden played almost the entire game and made nine of his 19 shots from the floor.

The Russians only led 46-38 at the end of the third quarter but outscored the Iranians 14-6 in the first five minutes of the final frame to take command for good.

“It was our first game and we were a little nervous,” Holden said to FIBA.com.

“Iran put some pressure on us but overall, we played a good game and got the win we wanted.”

With a lot of the world’s attention on Russia’s women’s team because of their American Becky Hammon, a CSKA Moscow guard who received her citizenship earlier this year, Holden reminded everyone of the USA influence on the men’s team.

The Russians are also coached by American-born David Blatt.

Hammon has been criticized back home for representing Russia, while Holden, a point guard with the CSKA Moscow men’s team, has never really come under fire.

“I really like Becky and think she’s a really nice girl,” Holden said.

“It’s been tough for her. The difference between me and her is that Becky plays in the WNBA (in America) and I don’t.”

Russia, who didn’t add Viktor Khryapa to their squad until the last minute because of an ankle injury, played almost 20 minutes.

The CSKA Moscow forward scored eight points and hauled in five rebounds.

Iran captain Samad Nikkhah Bahrami had 16 points to lead his national side but also had seven of his team’s 22 turnovers.

Iran center Hamed Ehadadi had nine points and eight rebounds.

FIBA