By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – The USA officials like to say to everyone that they need to fight and those are not “the days of 1992 anymore” when the opponents were in awe of the Dream Team.
However, this is also not 2006 for Greece and Sofoklis “Baby Shaq” Schortsanitis is not walking through that door for a pick-and-roll dunk.
The USA got the win, 109-81, and clinched a berth in the next round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Monday. The outcome was practically decided in the second period with Jalen Brunson leading the way with 13 points, like he had done in his teenage years against Greece, Austin Reaves being the top scorer with 15 and Anthony Edwards also scoring 13.
It was a close game in the first quarter with the US getting a 23-19 lead but soon after things changed with the second unit going in.
After two free throws by Paolo Banchero, the US jumped for the first time to a 10-point advantage (35-25). The US run continued stretching the lead to 15 (40-25) for a total of 17-6 partial score.
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That was pretty much the halftime difference (50-37) with the US dictating the pace and the Greeks lagging behind, despite 15 points by George Papagiannis in 15 minutes of action.
The second half started with a three by Anthony Edwards, answered back by Greece’s captain Kostas Papanikolaou.
Edwards scored again, Thanasis Antetokounmpo missed four free throws while the US bench players reacted to those misses and their team continued to score with the lead climbing to 21 points (63-42) after a 13-5 run.
The third quarter ended with the USA up by 23 (79-56) and the game becoming a dull affair, as the Greeks were obviously more focused on keeping their strength in the next crucial contest against New Zealand, which will decide their qualification to the second phase.
The biggest difference between the two teams ended up at 31 points down the stretch. Papagiannis completed the game with 17 points, while Nikos Rogkavopoulos scored 14 points.
Reporting pain in his left adductor, Thanasis Antetokounmpo will undergo an MRI. However, he is considered probable for the key game opposite New Zealand.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA