Like the Americans, Puerto Rico will play its group-stage World Cup games in Manila but in a different group. In the first American World Cup warm-up game, USA Basketball defeated Puerto Rico 117-74 on Monday night thanks to 15 points apiece from Anthony Edwards and Cam Johnson, as well as a 20-0 second-half surge. The United States concluded with seven players scoring in double digits, led by Mikal Bridges’ 14 points. This article will provide with, why Team USA pulls away from Puerto Rico in the World Cup.
For the Americans, Bobby Portis scored 11, Brandon Ingram scored 11, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 12, Jalen Brunson scored 11 points while pulling down 12 rebounds, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Tyrese Haliburton ended with 12 assists for the Americans, who outrebounded their opponents 53-27. For Puerto Rico, Tremont Waters scored 17 points, while George Conditt IV contributed 12 points and Jordan Howard contributed 10. There were amazing moments, clumsy moments, big-time plays that went wrong, and stunning moments. Finally, the squad with the far superior talent pushed away.
USA pulls away from Puerto Rico in the World Cup tune-up
In other words, everything went as planned. Because Las Vegas is a Lakers town, Paolo Banchero nearly blocked a shot with his elbow, Edwards’ head almost hit the backboard during a dunk, Austin Reaves received cheers as soon as he arrived, and those cheers grew louder when he made his first jump shot for USA across his chest.
It was the first of the Americans’ five exhibition matches before the World Cup and the only one that would take place in the country. The squad will play Slovenia and Spain this next weekend in Malaga, Spain before flying to the United Arab Emirates for matches against Greece and Germany in Abu Dhabi on August 18 and August 20, respectively. Also Read: Anthony Davis Agrees To $186 Million Deal Extension With Lakers
Manila is the next stop after that. The World Cup will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia; the United States will host the event in Manila for the whole duration and play New Zealand on August 26 before moving on to play Greece on August 28 and Jordan on August 30. The Americans are getting ready for a World Cup that, in their eyes, will atone for the defeat they suffered four years ago.
The United States finished ninth at the 2019 World Cup in China, which was the poorest result for any American men’s team in a significant international competition. The Americans outscored Puerto Rico 34-18 in the third quarter to extend a seven-point halftime lead into a 23-point advantage entering the fourth. What was a 74-61 game late in the third became a 94-61 game early in the fourth thanks to the strong run.
Tip-Ins against USA and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico will play its World Cup group-stage matches in Manila, like the Americans, but in a separate group. On August 26, South Sudan will visit Puerto Rico; on August 28, Serbia; and on August 30, China. Victor Wembanyama, who is currently a member of the San Antonio Spurs, was selected first overall by Boulogne-Levallois, the club that Waters played for for the most of the previous season.
The Americans have advanced to 11-0 in World Cup exhibition tour games on American territory and 24-1 overall in those games since employing NBA players for these contests. Australia suffered the defeat in 2019. … Reaves and Cam Johnson played their first games for USA Basketball. Josh Hart was kept out of practice so he could recuperate; he could play on Saturday in Spain for his country.
For starters
Bridges, Ingram, Edwards, Brunson, and Jackson Jr. were the players in the U.S. coach Steve Kerr’s initial summer starting lineup.
Showing Support
Olympic and World Cup gold medalist DeMarcus Cousins, two-time Olympic gold medalist Draymond Green, former USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo, New York coach Tom Thibodeau, Utah coach Will Hardy, and New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado were also present at the game. Kevin Durant, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, also attended.
Thank you for reading it. Leave us a comment if you liked it.
Do follow us on: Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | LinkedIn
Have a good day ahead 🙂