The Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love and Team USA will go up against Tunisia on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. ET. It likely will not be much of a challenge for the United States, but it will represent another chance for Love to assert himself after his strong showing on Sunday against France.
Love scored 14 points in 14 minutes in the first game, which got him out of the slump he'd been in during the weeks leading up to the Olympics, via Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated:
"Early on, I couldn't really find myself in the offense -- or the defense, for that matter,'' he said. "I don't know if 'bummed' is the right word, but I think I was just a little confused. I was working so hard to be in this position to make a big impact on this team.''
Love met with coach Mike Krzyzewski before the team's final exhibition last week against Spain in Barcelona.
"He still needs everybody to bring their same egos and swagger that they have from their respective [NBA] teams back in the States," Love said. "He wants us to bring that back to the court but wrap it around a team mentality.
It's important to bring that team mentality every game, but America won't face a serious test until its final game of the preliminary round on Monday against Argentina. After the Tunisia game, Love and co. will face Nigeria on Thursday and Lithuania on Saturday.
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