The USA clinched a decisive 103-86 victory over South Sudan in their second men's basketball group stage game at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Wednesday. This win marks their second consecutive triumph, securing a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Steve Kerr opted to sit out Joel Embiid, who had limited impact in their previous 110-84 win against Serbia on July 28. Instead, Kerr relied on Anthony Davis to fill the gap among the starters. However, Davis, along with Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum, ended the game with negative ratings, signaling a challenging performance from the starting lineup.
In stark contrast, the USA's bench unit delivered a stellar performance. Bam Adebayo, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Edwards all came off the bench with positive ratings, significantly contributing to the team's success. The American substitutes outscored their South Sudanese counterparts by an impressive 66-14. Adebayo led the charge with a team-high 18 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the field.
Reflecting on the victory, Adebayo shared, \"I just think Steve trusts us. I feel like he looks at the benches, that spark, to come off the bench and really give us a boost, and we did that tonight.\" This strategic reliance on the bench not only energized the team but also highlighted the depth and versatility of the USA's roster.
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Bench unit helps USA defeat South Sudan in Olympic men's basketball
cgtn.com
