This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting and the United States finished 3-0 in Group C pool play with a solid 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday at Lille, France.
Joel Embiid added 15 points and Kevin Durant had 11 as the United States earned the No. 1 seed for the knockout round by winning its three group games by 64 total points. Germany was second with a plus-47 differential.
“We play together, we play off each other,” Durant said. “We have two different units that play different ways, but we’re all on the same page. It’s been a fun game, it’s been a fun first three games and we’re looking forward to the medal rounds now.”
Jayson Tatum had 10 points and 10 rebounds, LeBron James recorded 10 points and eight assists and Anthony Davis also scored 10 points for the Americans.
“I’m glad we won this game,” Durant said. “… We’re trying to get this gold.”
Jose Alvarado scored 18 points for Puerto Rico, which went 0-3 in Group C play. Ismael Romero had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Aleem Ford added 10 points.
Jrue Holiday (ankle) sat out for the U.S.
The Americans shot 49.4 percent from the field, including 9 of 32 from 3-point range, while leading by as many as 31 points.
Puerto Rico made 39.8 percent of its shots and was 10 of 37 from behind the arc.
Edwards had 12 first-half points and the United States used a late second-quarter push to take a 64-45 halftime lead.
The Americans led by just three after Alvarado’s hoop for Puerto Rico with 3:28 remaining in the half. But Embiid’s basket and Stephen Curry’s trey began a run of 11 straight points as the U.S. took a 14-point lead.
James capped the explosive 18-2 flurry with a dunk with 14 seconds left to provide for the 19-point cushion.
Alvarado tallied 13 first-half points for Puerto Rico.
The American dominated the third quarter and a dunk by James and a 3-pointer by Embiid as the lead grew to 73-49 with 5:30 left.
A short time later, Durant and Edwards drained 3-pointers during a 10-0 burst to increase the margin to 83-54 with 2:32 remaining.
Puerto Rico played a strong first quarter and led 29-25. Alvarado had nine points in the quarter.
–Field Level Media
