Team USA remains the clear favorite to secure its fifth consecutive gold medal in the Olympic men’s basketball tournament, despite some challenges during the group phase.
The Americans easily claimed the top seed, with little competition from their rivals. Host nation France struggled, losing to Germany, who themselves fell 17 points short of matching Team USA’s point differential.
Canada, which topped Group A and is considered the third-best team in the tournament, is set to face France in what promises to be an exciting matchup at the Bercy Arena on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Brazil will be the opponent for Team USA in the quarter-finals. Brazil had a rocky start, losing its first two games in the group phase, but managed to secure a spot in the quarter-finals with a victory over Japan, even without NBA forward Rui Hachimura.
The Brazilian team is led by former NBA first-round pick Bruno Caboclo, who played a pivotal role in their success, scoring 33 points and grabbing 17 rebounds to ensure their place in the next round.
The American team is expected to dominate the matchup against Brazil, with head coach Steve Kerr continuing to experiment with lineups that have shown strong chemistry.
Kerr rested guard Jrue Holiday during the game against Puerto Rico to allow him to recover from a sprained ankle, but Holiday is set to return for the game against Brazil.
Additionally, center Joel Embiid, who missed the previous game against South Sudan due to illness, played his best game of the tournament against Puerto Rico, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
As the quarter-finals approach, Team USA appears to be in top form, with their depth and versatility allowing them to adapt and overcome any obstacles.
Their performance so far solidifies their status as the leading contender for the gold medal, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak as they face Brazil.
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