What we discovered as Steph will get going early, Workforce USA earns No. 1 seed initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
BOX SCORE
One other workforce effort by Workforce USA helped give it the sting over Puerto Rico with a dominant 104-83 win Saturday within the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The People entered the competition needing at the least a five-point victory to safe the No. 1 seed, however a 21-point blowout will suffice, too.
Steph Curry, who regardless of one sport in his Olympics debut has struggled to this point to discover a rhythm, obtained going early however was met with a chilly second half.
However simply as earlier than, it didn’t matter for Workforce USA.
Anthony Edwards led the way in which with 26 factors. Joel Embiid had 15 factors. Kevin Durant added 11. Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and LeBron James every completed with 10.
New Orleans Pelicans and Puerto Rico guard Jose Alvarado led his workforce with XX.
And for the primary time throughout the Olympics, amid rising controversy, Workforce USA coach Steve Kerr performed all out there gamers on the roster. Jrue Vacation sat out with an ankle concern.
Listed here are the takeaways from Workforce USA’s rout of Puerto Rico within the group play finale.
Steph heats up
One sport after scoring simply three factors on 1-of-9 taking pictures, Curry obtained going once more Saturday.
No less than within the first half.
He nonetheless isn’t taking pictures lights out the way in which the world is aware of he’s in a position to, however the Warriors famous person displayed a promising first half earlier than going chilly within the second.
Curry had 5 first-quarter factors earlier than flattening a triple within the second quarter. On the half, he had eight factors.
And after going 0 for two from deep within the third, the Chef was benched within the fourth because the People had a snug lead.
Ant Man dominates
If there’s one man who is aware of easy methods to get his workforce — and the group — going, it is Edwards.
His electrical power radiated each on and off the court docket Saturday, however he put that enthusiasm into his play with a dominant efficiency in opposition to Puerto Rico.
The 22-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves star completed with 26 factors on 11-of-15 taking pictures from the sector and three of 6 from past the arc, with three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 26 minutes off the bench.
KD makes historical past
Olympics KD is a special breed.
With 11 factors and 4 rebounds in Saturday’s win, Durantb turned the all-time main scorer and rebounder for Workforce USA basketball.
Durant shot an environment friendly 50-percent from the sector and 42.8 p.c from past the arc, additionally including three assists and one steal in slightly below 19 minutes off the bench.
Obtain and observe the Dubs Speak Podcast
