Joel Embiid is back in the starting five of the United States, while Jayson Tatum remains there. Enough to allow the crowd at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium to whistle the Sixers pivot from the start of the match.
This return does not boost the five of Team USA, which still lacks rhythm, and which does not seem particularly motivated against a Puerto Rico team that wants to save honor. Fortunately for Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry has set the sights. But it is Puerto Rico who wants more and who ends up in the lead (30-25) after ten minutes.
At a trot
This time, the American substitutes don't bring much pace, as Derrick White does a Jose Alvarado. Nevertheless, even walking, the United States' strike force hurts a clearly limited Puerto Rico team. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have fun passing the ball back and forth to find the ultimate shooting position, and LeBron James makes a sublime pass behind the back to Joel Embiid, the gap finally starting to grow.
The second part of the second quarter is indeed an ordeal for Puerto Rico. Although not transcendent, the United States is thus at +19 (64-45) at the time of joining the locker rooms.
At a trot, the United States continued to calmly increase the gap after the break. By simply tightening up the defense, Steve Kerr's players thus offered themselves a quiet afternoon.
Anthony Edwards puts on a show
LeBron James counters and then goes for a dunk, while Joel Embiid warms up the crowd, who still boo him on each catch, after a 3-pointer. Anthony Edwards' success puts his team at +28 (87-59) after 30 minutes.
“Ant” can afford a nice “windmill” on the counterattack while a small group of teenagers tries to start a “wave”. It takes a few tries to succeed but the stadium finally joins in the movement, in a long “garbage time” which no longer has much interest on the field…
Except for seeing Anthony Edwards (26 points) increase his quota of points while the crowd chants Teddy Riner's name, in the middle of the mixed judo final. Before reaching the quarterfinals, where they have a good chance of facing Brazil, the United States therefore offers itself a walk in the park (104-83). Puerto Rico leaves these Olympic Games without success.
As for Joel Embiid, he continues to warm up the crowd… before sending a nasty airball in stride.
Photo credit: FIBA
