The United States takes another walk in Olympic basketball and Puerto Rico is eliminated

The United States team, the overwhelming favorite to win the gold medal in the men’s basketball tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, continued its path to its seventeenth title with another convincing victory in the third and final match of Group C, in Lille; this time against Puerto Rico (104-83), which was eliminated from the tournament at the Paris 2024 Games.

Steve Kerr’s team, as expected, finished first in their group and will face Brazil in the quarter-finals next Wednesday in the French capital.

With a star-studded roster, the brightest one in the new version of the ‘Dream Team’ that is aiming for a fifth consecutive gold medal was Anthony Edwards, who, with a total of 26 points, finished as the top scorer in a match that the United States won by playing at full speed only in the second quarter.

Another North American figure

Joel Embiid, who had not played a single minute against South Sudan, returned to Anthony Davis at Steve Kerr’s five, a coach who was on par with (or better than some of) the stars of his team. With nine NBA championship rings, four of them as a coach (with Golden State), he lined up the former alongside the currently untouchable LeBron, Curry and Devin Booker; and Jason Tatum.

Puerto Rico held on, even well, in the first quarter. After going 14-17 down, they had a brilliant sequence with three three-pointers from Tremont Waters, José Alvarado and Aleem Ford, which, together with another basket from Arnaldo Toro, gave them a maximum lead of eight points: 25-17.

The Puerto Ricans were scoring everything from the perimeter and another triple by Jason Clavell, formerly of Estudiantes and recently signed by Covirán Granada, rounded off, shortly after entering the court, a partial score of 30-25 with which the first quarter ended.

But that was where the Caribbean dream ended.

Mission impossible for Puerto Ricans

Because Puerto Rico was an impossible mission. They had been surprised by South Sudan in their first match and then paid the price against Serbia after the thrashing they received at the hands of ‘Team USA’.

This Saturday they had to beat the sometimes supersonic North American team and hope for a tough defeat for South Sudan against Serbia – who they played next – to have any hope of reaching the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams.

Kevin Durant, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth Olympic gold medal at the age of 35, called the game to order once play had resumed. And a three-pointer from him (31-29) put the Americans back in control.

Although he was not at the level of his first game against Serbia, where he was off the map only in the minutes he played before the break, Durant, the top scorer in the history of his team at the Games – who, due to injury, had not played a single minute of the five friendly matches in preparation – continues to amaze.

After the first half’s nap, the American beast not only woke up, but began to roar. And in ten minutes he went from being five down to leading by 21 (64-45). After a no less colossal recital by LeBron James at 39. In search of a third gold, his dunks are impressive. But even more so, his assists. Before the break he had already given six. Of all colors. And each one more spectacular than the last.

Collective work

James, along with Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum, matched Durant’s eight points. But the most productive player during the first half – with twelve – was Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves point guard who will celebrate his twenty-third birthday in Paris on Monday with a more than promising future ahead of him.

Edwards, who claims a seat at the table of the greatest, was also the top scorer when the final buzzer sounded. He finished with 26 points and a game-high PIR of 25. Puerto Rico’s top scorer was Alvarado, with 18 points; and the highest-rated player was Romero (20).

After the second quarter’s acceleration, Team USA paced itself and closed the third quarter with a 28-point lead. Edwards completed his festival and the United States did not have to strain itself to get back over 100 and win the game by ‘only’ 21 points (104-83), after letting themselves go in the last quarter (which Puerto Rico won).

While waiting for Brazil, who will challenge them next Wednesday in Paris Bercy, everything seems to indicate that the South American team will need a miracle to advance to the semi-finals.

Lille / EFE