US Cruises By Greece In FIBA World Cup

Defense is the key as Giannis Antetokounmpo is held to 15 points

The US had one its easier games so far in the FIBA World Cup, blowing past Greece, 69-53.

The US held NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to 15 points. That still tied him with Kemba Walker for most points in the game but it wasn’t the devastating game many expected.

The US held Greece to 32 percent from the floor which was key for the victory.

They did this without Duke product Jayson Tatum, who was held out with a minor ankle injury. He’s expected back for the next game with Brazil on Monday.

With the win, the US guaranteed itself a spot in the quarterfinals.

The team still has questions to answer but it seems to have found an identity with defense and a small lineup. It’s not Gregg Popovich’s first choice but it’s working and he has a small ball expert on staff in Steve Kerr and the guaranteed spot in the finals means a loss prior to then won’t be that damaging.