PARIS – If U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr emphasized his points against Brazil to reporters, imagine what he told his team ahead of Tuesday’s quarterfinals game.
Defend and rebound, and the rest will take care of itself, Kerr stated in various ways after the United States finished group play and progressed to the knockout round.
His players listened.
The United States did precisely that on its route to a 122-87 victory against Brazil, advancing to Thursday’s quarterfinals against Serbia. The winner will face the winner of France-Germany for the gold medal.
The United States outrebounded Brazil when it mattered, limited Brazil to 42% shooting, and relied on its offensive firepower to put up points.
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Devin Booker led the United States with 18 points, while Joel Embiid had 14 points and seven rebounds. Kevin Durant scored 11 points, while LeBron James contributed 12 points, nine assists, and three steals. Anthony Davis tallied 13 points and eight rebounds. The United States shot 58% from the field and 48% on three-pointers.
“I love how we’re defending and talking,” Durant added. “I appreciate how the first unit started us off tonight. We got off to a good start, and the second unit tried to build on it. Teams will make runs against us; that’s the nature of the game, but I like how we stayed poised throughout it all.”
Brazil’s Bruno Caboclo Led All Scorers With 30 Points.
“It starts with the defensive end,” James added. “We understand that for us to lock down in this tournament, it starts on the defensive end, and then offensively, we’ve got to continue to help each other spread the ball out and be in a great rhythm.”
Serbia and Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, are familiar opponents. Serbia overcame a 24-point deficit to defeat Australia in one of the other quarterfinal matches.
The United States defeated Serbia 105-79 in an exhibition game in Abu Dhabi in July and 110-84 in a Group C Olympic matchup on July 28.
“Serbia is excellent,” Kerr remarked. “We can’t fall asleep since we beat them twice. We need to be ready for their greatest effort. We must consider ‘What are they going to do differently?’
“Each game is so distinct. You never know when the ball will go in or not go in. “We need to be prepared.”
Here’s how Tuesday’s game went:
Fourth Quarter Starts: USA Up 94-71
PARIS — The United States maintained its lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 94-71 edge over Brazil. Devin Booker hit three 3-pointers in the third quarter, Anthony Davis slammed a putback dunk, and the United States is 10 minutes away from advancing to the semifinals and a rematch with Serbia.
LeBron James (12 points, nine assists, three steals) received an unintentional elbow to the left eye from Brazil’s Georginho De Paula. James appeared fine as he held a handkerchief to the area, but he headed to the locker room with approximately three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Booker leads the United States with 18 points, while Joel Embiid has 14 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Davis had 10 points, eight rebounds, and two steals.
Bruno Caboclo leads Brazil in scoring with 24 points.
LeBron James Gets Elbowed In The Third Quarter.
PARIS—With 5:41 left in the third quarter and the United States up 74-51, LeBron James received a left elbow to the eye from Brazil’s Georginho De Paula on a de Paula putback.
James initially placed a towel on his eye and walked out of the game. He continued to hold a handkerchief over the spot until he appeared to leave with about three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Halftime Score: USA 63, Brazil 36.
PARIS—Joel Embiid notices the booing from the French supporters. It does not worry him—or at least it didn’t in the first half of the United States quarterfinal match against Brazil.
Embiid led the squad with 14 points and seven rebounds, while the United States led 63-36 at halftime against Brazil.
Brazil had cut its 19-point deficit to 42-34, but the United States finished the half on a 21-4 run. LeBron James finished the half with 10 points and eight assists, including an out-of-bounds alley-oop to Jayson Tatum right before the buzzer. Devin Booker scored nine points for the United States, with 11 of its 12 first-half players scoring.
The United States shot 59% from the field and 50% on 3-pointers while holding Brazil to 34% from the field and 29% on 3-pointers. The United States also held Brazil’s offensive rebounds to four despite entering the game as the tournament’s leading offensive rebounding team at 13 per game.
Brazil currently needs more defenders, rebounders, and scorers.
Brazil Puts Together Second-Quarter Rally
PARIS — Brazil storms back into the game with a 13-2 run that included three 3-pointers and a three-point play. Brazil now trails 42-34 after falling behind 40-21.
USA Basketball Controls The Opening Quarter vs. Brazil.
PARIS – Hot shooting, active defense, and devotion to rebounding gave the United States a 33-21 advantage against Brazil after the first quarter of the quarterfinal game.
All five U.S. starters scored in the first quarter, headed by Devin Booker with nine points, Joel Embiid with eight, and LeBron James with four points and five assists. The United States made 11 of its first 14 shots, shooting 62% in the first quarter. Booker completed a four-point play, giving the United States an early 26-14 lead.
Coach Steve Kerr was concerned about Brazil’s offensive rebounding, so the U.S. limited them to three while recovering 12 defensive rebounds.
Brazil shot 36% from the field in the first quarter, with 29% on threes.
USA basketball takes an early lead against Brazil.
PARIS – LeBron James has assisted on four of the seven shots hit by the United States, and all five starters have scored at least once as the United States opened up a 16-6 lead four minutes into the first quarter.
Fans In France Repeatedly Boo Joel Embiid.
PARIS – As the quarterfinals begin, French supporters continue to boo U.S. center Joel Embiid, who might have represented France, whenever he touches the basketball.
“I’ve always loved it,” Embiid remarked following his Group C victory over Puerto Rico. “Many people say it’s hatred, but I see it as love and respect. I wouldn’t get that kind of treatment if I weren’t a good basketball player. I see myself as blessed. I have seen worse. I’ve played in worse environments, including both Gardens (New York and Boston), so there’s nothing new for me.”
USA Basketball Lineup vs. Brazil.
- The United States
- Stephen Curry
- LeBron James
- Jrue Holiday
- Devin Booker
- Joel Embiid
- Brazil
Marcelinho Huertas
- Gui Santos
- Leo Meindl
- Raul Neto
- Bruno Caboclo
Snoop Dogg And A’Ja Wilson Are In The House For USA vs. Brazil.
Snoop Dogg has come for his NBC prime-time smash inside, where the network has taken over the museum and transformed it into its on-camera headquarters for the Games.
Martha Stewart is waiting inside. Snoop visited his friend and told her about Noah Lyles’ picture finish, which happened an hour earlier. Snoop witnessed it in person. He’s been everywhere and everywhere, with everyone and anybody, during his tenure as a Games correspondent extraordinaire. He has spent more time relaxing than sleeping.
Basketball Prediction: USA vs. Brazil
Brazil is in medal contention in men’s basketball but has not won a medal since 1964 when it won bronze. It finished ninth at the 2016 Rio Olympics and fifth at the 2012 London Olympics but did not advance to the Tokyo Olympics.
Brazil’s national squad is changing, having gone 1-2 in the Olympics, losing to France and Germany and winning over Japan in group play. No Anderson Varejao, no Nene, and no Leandro Barbosa. However, Marcelinho Huertas is still going strong at 41 years old. The club is headed by Vitor Benite (14.3 points per game), Bruno Caboclo (13 points, 7.3 rebounds per game), Raul Neto (8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds), and Leo Meindl (9.7 points, 6.3 rebounds per game). Brazil shot 45.3% from three during group play, making 17-of-28 versus Japan. Brazil will attack the offensive glass and fire threes.
USA Men’s Basketball Schedule At The Paris Olympics
Here are the games that the U.S. men have played thus far.
- July 28: USA 110, Serbia 84.
- July 31: USA 103; South Sudan 86.
- August 3: United States 104, Puerto Rico 83.
Team USA’s Men’s Basketball Roster.
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- LeBron James, LA Lakers
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns.
- Derrick White, Boston Celtics.
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics.
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia Sixers
- Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics.
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat.
- Anthony Davis, LA Lakers
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns.
In conclusion, the American men’s basketball team performed admirably against Brazil, demonstrating their skill, depth, and dedication. With a dominant victory, they move to the Olympic semifinals, aiming for the gold medal. Fans can expect more exciting basketball action as the group continues its quest for Olympic success.
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