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After an early scare from Puerto Rico, the United States asserted itself with a 104–83 win on Saturday. The U.S. finishes group play 3–0 and moves on to the quarterfinals.
Puerto Rico led 29–25 after the first quarter and that was essentially its highlight for the game. From there, it was all Team USA in what became a dominant win to close out their Group B bracket.
Anthony Edwards played like the No. 1 option he said he was, scoring a game-high 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting. With breakaway dunks, soaring layups and sharpshooting threes, Edwards was “giving ‘em everything,” as NBC commentator Dwyane Wade put it.
“It’s the best feeling ever; it’s a dream come true,” Edwards told NBC’s Noah Eagle and Wade in an on-court interview afterward. “I’m making the most of it.”
After Edwards, the scoring was spread around throughout the Team USA lineup. Joel Embiid finished with 15 and embraced the villain role, egging on the Pierre Mauroy Stadium crowd that previously booed him to cheer as the final seconds expired.
Jayson Tatum notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while LeBron James finished with 10 points, six rebounds and eight assists. As the U.S. came back and took control in the second and third quarters, James looked like the best player on the floor, especially with his court vision. Also scoring in double figures were Kevin Durant with 11 and Anthony Davis with 10.
Jose Alvarado led Puerto Rico with 18 points, and Ismael Romero added 12 in a team effort that started with promise but soon buckled to Team USA’s dominance.
Here is how Saturday’s action progressed on Yahoo Sports’ live blog for the USA-Puerto Rico match:
Live11 updates
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Final: USA 104, Puerto Rico 83
The United States finishes off group play in dominating fashion with a 104–83 win over Puerto Rico.
Anthony Edwards led Team USA with 26 points, followed by Joel Embiid’s 15. Jayson Tatum notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while LeBron James finished with 10 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Also scoring in double figures were Kevin Durant with 11 and Anthony Davis with 10.
The men’s basketball quarterfinals begin Tuesday. Team USA is likely to play at 8:30 a.m. ET.
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Joel Embiid egging the crowd on for cheers
In the game’s final seconds, Joel Embiid held the ball at the top of the 3-point arc with his hand to his ear, calling for cheers from the French fans that had booed him earlier in the Olympics tournament.
George Conditt IV attempted to steal the ball away from Embiid as he hammed it up, but couldn’t get the turnover. Embiid took and missed a long 3 to cap off the play.
Final: USA 104, Puerto Rico 83.
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The No. 1 option!
Anthony Edwards hits a three. He is on fire and has 26 points.
As Dwyane Wade put it, “givin’ ’em everything.”
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Anthony Edwards with the windmill
Anthony Edwards looked like the No. 1 option on this steal, breakaway and windmill dunk to put Team USA up 89–62 in the 4th quarter.
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Dwyane Wade, Noah Eagle and Kerith Burke are currently discussing which Olympic sport they’d like to compete in, playing off U.S. basketball players saying which other sport they would play. (Tyrese Haliburton said swimming, even though he doesn’t swim.) In case you were wondering where this game is at in terms of competitiveness right now…
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LeBron James with another breakaway dunk. He looks like Team USA’s best player on the floor today. 10 points, eight assists and five rebounds thus far.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scouting Team USA from NBC studio
Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander watching USA-Puerto Rico with Mike Tirico for NBC:
SGA on Team USA:
“They play to their strengths. They’re obviously very talented, very deep. You almost have to make no mistakes and play a perfect game when you play against them… As far as Canada, we’ll be ready for whoever we see”pic.twitter.com/HdSPfiCSlt
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) August 3, 2024
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LeBron James taking control
After an early scare with Puerto Rico leading after the 1st quarter, Team USA has settled down and asserted itself.
LeBron James is controlling the action with both scoring and passing. He has six rebounds and four assists to go with his six points.
Anthony Edwards leads the U.S. in scoring thus far with 12 points off the bench.
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Source Agencies
