Team USA’s quest for a third consecutive World Cup title moves its second phase this week, when it takes on France in the quarterfinals.
While they have impressed only in flashes, the defending champions have reached the knockout stages with a perfect 5-0 record after winning every game in the two group stages.
Myles Turner and Kemba Walker both top scored with 16 points, while Jaylen Brown and Harrison Barnes added 11 and 10 points respectively.
Team USA’s coach Gregg Popovich was particularly pleased with Brown’s contribution, as the Celtics star added four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
“For his size and strength he moves well, and he will penetrate. He can catch and pull it,” Popovich was quoted as saying by ESPN.
“Get to the rim. And he’s unselfish and finding other people. He’s just kind of an all-around player. He has stepped in and given us good minutes at both ends of the floor for sure.”
The French finished second in their second-round group after losing to Australia 100-98 on Monday in Nanjing.
Both sided went into the game unbeaten knowing a win would ensure avoiding the U.S. in the quarterfinals.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova converted one of two free throws to put Australia ahead with five seconds left in the game.
As the second free throw bounced off the rim, France gathered possession only for San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills to steal the ball and effectively seal the game for the Boomers.
The Australian finished with a World Cup-high 30 points, while Evan Fournier and Nando de Colo led the way for France with 31 and 26 points respectively.
Despite the defeat, Les Bleus remain a tricky customer for Team USA. In Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, Frank Ntilikina and Vincent Poirier coach Vincent Collet has plenty of players with NBA experience at his disposal.
The No.3 ranked team in the world going into the tournament, France has conceded just 69.25 points per game while scoring 89.8 points. Statistically at least, there’s little to choose from between them and Team USA, who has conceded 67 points per game while scoring 90.2.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of Wednesday.
The game tips off at 7 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET).
TV channel
The FIBA World Cup is not broadcast on TV in the U.S., but there are plenty of other ways to keep up with the action.
Live stream
Live stream for every game of the 2019 FIBA World Cup is available via ESPN+.
Team news
Jayson Tatum returned to practice on Monday after spraining his left ankle against Turkey last week, but he remains a doubt for the quarterfinals.
The Boston Celtics small forward has missed the last three games but remained hopeful he would be fit in time to face France.
“I hope I can play,” he told the Associated Press. “There’s no timetable or anything. I’m just trying to get back right.”
France, meanwhile, has no injury concerns and will be at full strength.