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Steve Kerr's star-studded Team USA basketball side easily overcame Puerto Rico in their final group game, helping to ease them into the Quarter-Finals, where a stiffer challenge in the form of Brazil awaits Steph Curry, LeBron James and co.
The United States overcame Puerto Rico 104-83 in Lille, helping to seal the top spot in the Preliminary Round group, winning all three games and leading Serbia in second place. It was Anthony Edwards who did most of the damage, racking up 26 points, with Jayson Tatum getting ten rebounds and LeBron James providing eight assists.
Kevin Durant impressed from the bench, the veteran grabbing 11 points, which means he's secured 48 points and is closing in on the record for most all-time Olympic points, with Lisa Leslie of the women's team currently holding that honor.
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After his game-scoring high, Edwards was full of praise for those around him, the Minnesota Timberwolves star commenting,
“KD and Bron, man, they’re the best two people. I mean, team players. They always want to see the person next to him shine,”
“I told Bron, ‘If you ain’t got no shot, I’ll find one.'” Edwards added.
Things didn't pan out so well for Joel Embiid, who continues to receive a certain amount of abuse for electing to play for the United States side when he could have chosen to represent France or Cameroon.
“At the end of the day, I think a lot of people think it’s hate. I see it as love and respect,”
“If I wasn’t an OK basketball player, I would not receive that type of treatment and so I see myself as being blessed, and that’s why I interact with them,” Embiid concluded.
Brazil limped into the last eight despite having won just one of their three opening games. A win over Japan in their final match was enough to see them progress. Their roster is not all that impressive, but it does include two NBA stars. These are Gui Santos of the Golden State Warriors and Maozinah Pereira of the Memphis Grizzlies.
One Team USA star who is yet to hit top gear is Steph Curry. In this, his first Olympic Games, the Golden State Warriors star is yet to really get going, and even for a legend of his standing, this is proving somewhat frustrating,
“You’re always annoyed. You want to make shots.”
“I know teams are going to be locked in on tracking me,”
“So that puts a little more pressure on the shots you get. I kind of forced a couple [vs. South Sudan]. You go from shooting 20-something a game to maybe 6-to-10, so you have to be ready for them.”
“The floodgates could open at any time, so you don’t ever want to get down on yourself,”
“You can’t let [missed shots] rob you of all the other stuff you need to do to help the team win.” Curry added.
On that score, don't bet against a game-winning display against Brazil, as a player of Curry's ability won't have too many average games.