Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Team USA bodied Brazil, reaching the next round

Team USA eliminated Brazil to open the knockout round. Joel Embiid got anything he wanted. LeBron James dissected coverages with nine helpings. And the defense overwhelmed most actions.

Brazil was toyed with in the first frame as Devin Booker and Embiid combined for 17 points. The former nailed a layup, 3-pointer and four-point play. The latter converted a hook over multiple defenders and canned two trays. And the group deployed full-court press with Holiday and had James in the back as the low man in the half court with others switching around him. 

Through 12 minutes, the Stars and Stripes were ahead 33-21.

But Brazil briefly came stomping back as Team USA’s urgency waned. Marcelo Huertas downed a transition stop-and-pop triple at the top, shot the middle over Embiid in drop coverage and created an overreaction, exposing Lucas Dias in the corner for a 3-pointer that cut the lead to eight points with four minutes left in the first half. 

The counter was Steph Curry’s three freebies and Embiid’s trailing transition triple, pushing the advantage back to 14 digits. For Brazil, it was as if a boxer suffered a kidney strike that dropped them. Next, the Americans detonated, logging six of seven attempts to close the interval.

Team USA was up 63-36 at halftime, leading on the glass by 13, shooting 59% from the field, including 50% from deep. The bench had 17 marks.

Brazil was permitted 34.2% of hoisted field goals, counting 27.8% from 3-point range. 

The next half wasn’t close. 

Adebayo started the second half for Embiid. He switched everywhere on defense and opened avenues for his teammates with screens. Booker poured in three 3-pointers.  And Durant plus Anthony Davis took over off the bench, dropping jumpers and dunks.

The fourth quarter started with the Americans up 94-71. Nothing Brazil tried worked and they soon bent the knee.

Team USA won 122-87, outrebounding its rival by 12 and forcing four extra turnovers. On top of that, the squad registered 57.7% of looks, including 48.4% from deep. The group’s double-digit scorers were Booker (18), Anthony Edwards (17), Embiid (14), Davis (13), James (12) and Durant (11).

Booker handled the on-court interview and was asked about the team’s defense. He said, “We all have to do a little bit more than we’re used to. That’s what the team needs. It’s been working for us…”

Team USA advances to the next round to play Serbia. 

Further comment

Durant passed Lisa Leslie for most points in Team USA Olympic basketball history. At age 35 and approaching his 18th NBA season, he is still one of the hardest covers in the world. Pity those who missed him. 

Booker’s adaptability is one of Team USA’s top assets. He keeps the ball moving, plays well on defense, and doesn’t get trigger-happy. 

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