This time, Team USA was serious, winning 103-86 against South Sudan and advancing to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games.
The USA made it 2/2 in the group stage of the Olympic tournament on Wednesday night (31/7), overcoming South Sudan 103-86, with whom they had a fierce battle in Abu Dhabi during preparations for the Olympics.
Steve Kerr included Jason Tatum (DNP against Serbia) and Anthony Davis in the starting lineup instead of Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid, the latter not playing as the American coach went with an 11-player rotation.
Team USA did not impress but also did not struggle. They controlled the game, did not give away opportunities this time, however, South Sudan fought as much as they could and had some good stretches, such as at the start of the second half when they reduced the deficit to 11 (60-49).
The Africans will face Serbia in the third round (3/8 at 18:15), with the winner taking the second place and the loser taking the third place, as long as the USA manages to defeat Puerto Rico, which is currently at 0-2.
Bam Adebayo (18 points in 21 minutes) stood out for the Americans, while Carlik Jones and Nuni Omot (42 points) were the top performers for South Sudan, who had Gabriel (2 points, 7 turnovers) and Sayok (4/15 shooting) having a bad night.
THE REFEREES: Gentvillas, Grigzoni, Binder-Konder
THE QUARTERS: 26-14, 55-36, 73-57, 103-86
USA (Kerr): Curry 3 (0/6 three-pointers, 4 assists), Edwards 13 (2/5 two-pointers, 2/4 three-pointers, 3/4 free throws), James 12 (5/6 two-pointers, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 turnovers), Durant 14 (2/2 three-pointers, 8/9 free throws), White 10 (3/3 three-pointers), Haliburton 6 (2), Tatum 4 (5 rebounds), Holiday 5 (1), Adebayo 18 (6/7 two-pointers, 2/3 three-pointers, 7 rebounds), Davis 8 (4/7 two-pointers, 7 rebounds), Booker 10 (1 three-pointer, 6 assists)
SOUTH SUDAN (Ivy): Jones 18 (7/15 two-pointers, 1/4 three-pointers, 1/1 free throw, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 turnovers), Omot 24 (5/7 two-pointers, 3/5 three-pointers, 5/6 free throws), Maluach, Quol 16 (4/5 three-pointers, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals), Gabriel 2 (10 rebounds, 1 assist, 7 turnovers, 5 fouls), Thor 7 (1), Sayok 12 (3/10 two-pointers, 1/5 three-pointers, 3/3 free throws, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), McCoy, Deng, Jok 7 (1), Dek
USA team statistics: 24/40 two-pointers, 13/30 three-pointers, 16/20 free throws, 36 rebounds (26 defensive – 10 offensive), 29 assists, 13 steals, 7 blocks, 15 turnovers, 14 fouls
SOUTH SUDAN team statistics: 21/47 two-pointers, 11/29 three-pointers, 11/12 free throws, 41 rebounds (25 defensive – 16 offensive), 17 assists, 9 steals, 2 blocks, 19 turnovers, 22 fouls
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