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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The storylines will be plentiful Wednesday night when the two teams playing the best basketball so far at the Rio Olympics square off, but no subplot was generating more discussion on the eve of the Group A showdown between the United States and Australia than Kyrie Irving versus Matthew Dellavedova.As recently as late June, Irving and Dellavedova were teammates celebrating their first NBA championship together with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But Dellavedova has since moved on in free agency to the Milwaukee Bucks and, coming off the finest game of his national team career, will now go head to head with Irving in the most anticipated game to date in the mens tournament.The individual matchup generated numerous questions Tuesday before Team USAs afternoon practice at Brazils famed Clube Flamengo, sparked partly because of the Melbourne-born Irvings Aussies roots but mostly because of Dellavedovas reputation for in-your-face defense.Dellys gonna compete, Irving said. Thats all he knows. Im used to that already [from Cavaliers practices], so I dont see it as him being feisty or him being a pest. Hes gonna do what Delly does.Irving then tried to assert that he doesnt think Delly is gonna rank as the all-time peskiest guy Ive ever gone against, but Irving also didnt have a ready response when asked to name a defender he has found peskier.Dellavedova enjoyed a near-perfect outing Monday in Australias 95-80 victory over Serbia, totaling 23 points and 13 assists without one turnover. He and San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills combined for 49 points in the win over Serbia, which followed a 21-point trouncing Saturday of highly rated France to set the tone for what has been a mens tourney filled with upsets already -- excluding games featuring the United States.The Americans have romped to a 2-0 start in Group A with wins over China and Venezuela by a combined 101 points. They frankly are in need of a push, having played only one game this summer out of seven so far against what could be considered a legitimate medal contender in Rio: last months 37-point exhibition cruise in Las Vegas past aging Argentina.Hes just a continuance of the Australian that weve played against in my 11 years, Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Dellavedova and his relentless style.Theyve always played, first of all, with great spirit and togetherness. As good as they are individually, theyre greater as the sum of those parts.In addition to Dellavedova and Mills, Australia boasts legitimate NBA size in Dallas Mavericks center Andrew Bogut and Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes as well as former NBA player David Andersen. Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles adds to the Aussies shooting threat.But Krzyzewski said he is concerned most about Australias pick-and-roll prowess and the passing ability of Bogut and Dellavedova. Its a much stronger team than the Australian squad Team USA routed by 33 points in the quarterfinals of the London Olympics in 2012, which Bogut missed because of an ankle injury.Im sure Australia sees a lot of things that they can do against us because theyre really good, Krzyzewski said. Australian basketball is terrific. ... They can beat us. We know that, and well prepare accordingly.We know that they feel like they can beat us, and we understand that. I think it will be a really good game.Said Irving: When I saw the France [score], I was like, OK, this will be a great test. We need to be beat up a little bit to prepared for whats ahead.Team USA star Kevin Durant, however, scoffed at the notion that the game will narrow down to a duel between Irving and Dellavedova.Dellys playing well, but hes not getting into no one-on-one matchup [with Irving], Durant said. Kyries a dog. Hes an animal. Thats how he approaches the game?.Irving ultimately conceded that Dellavedovas physicality led to a few rough days on the Cavaliers practice floor but said his fondness for Dellavedova is such that theyll be bonded forever.Its been good for the both of us, Irving said of their three seasons together as teammates.Yet when it comes to game day, Irving said: Just like I should be worried about him, he should be worried about me. It goes both ways?. Adidas NMD Black And White . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Adidas NMD R1 Japan Black . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/adidas-nmd-mens-clearance.html . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Adidas NMD Human Race China . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Wholesale NMD . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Remote, tranquil and alluring, little about the St. Xaviers College Ground in Thumba is reminiscent of the archetypal cricket stadium. Away from the hubhub of the city, the gentle breeze that steadily blows across mitigates the lingering humidity due to the geographic location, with the St. Andrews beach to the west of the ground.Jharkhand return to the venue not just with fond memories - Ishan Kishan slammed 273, the highest in Jharkhands history in their previous match here - but an unwavering confidence that stems from having made the quarter-finals for the second successive season.Jharkhands youngsters have been the flavour of their season, and nothing encapsulated that better than that innings from Kishan. The 18-year-old has grabbed eyeballs not just for his attacking brand of batsmanship, but also for the remarkable consistency with which he has been able to do it. Kishan and Ishank Jaggi have scored over 1200 runs and six centuries, making Jharkhand one of only two teams - Tamil Nadu being the other - to have two batsmen with three or more centuries.At the other end, Odisha would be more relieved than confident heading into the match. A frantic week of uncertainties ended with Odisha qualifying for their first knockouts in a decade courtesy Delhis defeat to Saurashtra.Odisha have benefitted immensely from their team firing in unison. Six of their batsmen have scored centuries, and their bowlers too have shared the wickets. Odisha have welcomed Biplab Samantrays return to form after a drab 2015-16. Samantray was sacked as captain and later left out, but has regained his mojo; his 498 runs to go alongside 11 wickets have served Odisha well.Govinda Poddar, the man who took over from Samantray as leader, has thrived in his new role and hasnt let it affect his batting. Young Subhranshu Senapati and Sandeep Pattnaik have also impressed in their debut seasons. While opener Pattnaiks performances have fallen off in the latter half, Senapatis consistency despite floating a bit in the line-up has lent solidity in the middle order.Odishas new-ball combination has come good with Suryakant Pradhan topping their charts with 26 wickets and Basant Mohanty claiming 17. Samantray has performed the supporting seamers role well, while left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh has also been among the wickets. Jharkhand, on the other hand, have primarily relied on Shahbaz Nadeem, the left-arm spinner, and medium pacer Ashish Kumar, although theey do hold a slight advantage having already played a match here.ddddddddddddRun-fest, the norm. Will it be different this time around? The ground has faced its share of criticism despite its short history. Sunil Joshi, the Assam coach, had expressed disappointment at the run-up areas that were too sandy and the dressing rooms where repair works were underway during their match against Vidarbha. Jharkhand too had some complaints.I found the dressing room too small. There is no air conditioner, and in this heat, if you field for two and a half hours, what do you do? Saurabh Tiwary, the captain, said. In the last match we played, when we used to come back after fielding, we used to get our lunch and sit outside in the tent. This time, too, we will do the same. You will see it.The dressing room works have been completed now. But with two new grounds coming up around the city, this venue is soon set to be used only for junior cricket, meaning the change room facilities are only temporary arrangements.The presence of sand, which can still be seen abundantly on the peripheries of the stadium, is a result of the grounds topography. But on the flip side, it makes the outfield quick and soft, minimising the risk of injury.The last time a match was played here, between Delhi and Jharkhand in November, 1307 runs were scored across four days - the third-highest aggregate of the season. That game was played on a red soil surface, while Thursdays clash happens on a clay surface. Nonetheless, its expected to be another high-scoring match, although spinners will find a lot of assistance and the pitch could start crumbling as early as on the second day.The pitch for the first game (against Delhi), we knew that it was fully flat. But this one is entirely different, Tiwary said. For around eight feet on either side, there has been no rolling or watering. I reckon it should start spinning on the second or the third day.While the result of this match will make no difference to the qualification scenario with both teams already through, there is still plenty to look forward to. Odisha, despite having qualified, have only two outright wins, and another one here will set things up nicely heading into the knockouts of what has been a huge season for them. For Jharkhand, this will be an opportunity to top the group. ' ' '