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The steamroll express that is Team USA ran through its second contest of the group phase with big implications looming.
With the winner getting first place in Group C, the men’s national team dominated Greece, 109-81, Monday, Aug. 28 from the Mall of Asia Arena. The U.S.’s win maintains Greece’s win over the nation in 2006 as its lone victory in world cup meetings.
Still undefeated this summer, Team USA will conclude group play Wednesday, Aug. 30 against Jordan with tip-off slated for 1:40 a.m locally. Prior to beating Greece, the red, white and blue took care of New Zealand and will now look to go 3-0.
Team USA went +19 in the middle two quarters of Monday’s game to take the game away from Greece. This stretch included winning the second quarter, 27-18, and the third, 29-19.
In the second quarter, the lead ballooned to 17 points and jumped to 23 in the third. Guard Jalen Brunson was steady, scoring 13 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, all of which came in the first 30 minutes of play.
Fellow starting guard Anthony Edwards scored 13 points, becoming the second and final starter in double-figures.
Backup guard Austin Reaves led the team with 15 points, making it the second straight game where the team was led in scoring by someone off-the-bench.
In the closing moments of the fourth quarter, reserve forward Bobby Portis reached 10 points in his limited action on the floor.
Fellow reserve Josh Hart starred with a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with six points and four assists.
It was a nearly perfect performance by Team USA, best indicated by its free throw mark that stayed fully intact through the first 37-plus minutes of the game. By the final buzzer, the team had gone 30-for-34 from the charity stripe.
Overall, the men’s national team shot 57% from the floor after shooting 59% in its last outing against New Zealand. It was best showcased when the team got out running in transition, winning that battle 38-6.