By the Eurohoops Team/ [email protected]
Under the umbrella of the Olympic Games and with the prestige they offer, it is certain that the South Sudanese will remember this matchup for the rest of their lives.
Suspecting from the very competitive appearance that Ivy’s team showed during their friendly preparation match, the Americans did not allow their opponents to question their superiority and achieved a comfortable victory with a score of 103-86.
Thus, the USA made it 2 out of 2, as they also qualified for the quarter-finals in Paris, turning the last group stage game against Puerto Rico into a mere formality unless Alvarado’s teammates deliver a bombshell and calculators come into play.
The significant and undeniable difference in strength was unlikely to lead to a different outcome.
Steve Kerr’s team immediately “punished” the good start by South Sudan, who led 10-8 for the first five minutes, responding with a partial run of 18-4. And when this Team USA, which “forces” a crowd of people to compare it with the “legendary” Dream Team, takes the lead, they do not let it go.
The top scorer was Bam Adebayo with 18 points and 8/10 shooting for the diverse Team USA, which had five other double-digit scorers (Durant 14 points, James 12, Edwards 13, Booker 10, and a similar number from White). Joel Embiid did not step on the court, and Haliburton played just 7’37”.
The “king” James, who also delivered a spectacular dunk as a trailer towards the end, became the third player with 300+ points after Durant and Carmelo Anthony.
A performance to frame by the Kenya-born Nuni Omot (24 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, no turnovers), who finished last season in Israel playing with Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan.
Carlik Jones stopped at 18 points and is expected to debut in the EuroLeague with the new season representing Partizan, while Quall had another 16.
The quarters: 26-14, 55-36, 73-57, 103-86
See the Game Statistics HERE
Photo credit: FIBA
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