Collaborative effort helps US men's basketball cruise past Greece, into World Cup second round

U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr had wise words when assessing his go-to guy for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

"From one game to the next, it’s going to be somebody different," he said.

It was the Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero in the USA's World Cup opener against New Zealand on Saturday, and against Greece on Monday, it was multiple somebodies for the Americans: New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson, Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves starred in a 109-81 victory, which gave the U.S. a 2-0 record in Group C play and a spot in the second round of group play.

Reaves had 15 points, six assists and five rebounds, Brunson had 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting and Edwards added 13 points.

Georgios Papagiannis led Greece with 17 points.

Key stretches in US victory

The U.S. had a 15-1 run in the second quarter that turned a 27-24 lead into a 42-15 advantage, and it outscored Greece 29-19 in the third quarter for a comfortable 79-56 lead headed into the fourth quarter.

Balanced scoring for the US

All 12 U.S. players scored, 11 had at least five points, and eight scored at least eight points. Milwaukee's Bobby Portis scored his 10 points in the second half; Brooklyn Nets' Mikal Bridges, Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton and Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. each scored nine points; Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and Banchero both had eight points.

New York’s Josh Hart collected six points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

The U.S. shot 57% from the field, 41% on 3-pointers and 88% on 34 free throw attempts.

US relying on defense

Greece shot 48% from the field but just 30% on 3-pointers, and the U.S. blocked seven shots, forced seven turnovers and outrebounded Greece 40-25. Team USA scored 21 points off of Greece's turnovers and owned a 32-6 edge in fastbreak points.

No Giannis Antetokounmpo for Greece

NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is not playing for Greece in the World Cup, but his brother Thanasis, who also plays for the Bucks, started for Greece against the U.S. He had two points and four rebounds − and the game’s biggest dunk on Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz late in the game.

What was the other result in Group C?

New Zealand defeated Jordan 95-87 in overtime Monday and is in second place in the Group C. It will play Greece on Wednesday, and the winner will advance to the second phase of group play. Former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 39 points for Jordan.

What’s next for the US in Group C?

The U.S. plays Jordan Wednesday (4:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2; also streaming on courtside1891.com for a fee and blackout restrictions apply).

Looking ahead to the second phase of group play

The top two teams from Group C will match up with the top two teams from Group D, and the teams will play games against the teams they didn’t play in first phase of group play. Results, including wins and losses and point differential, carry over from the first phase. Lithuania and Montenegro will advance from Group D to form Group J with the U.S. and another team from Group C.

Biggest disappointment so far

France was eliminated from the World Cup after losses to Canada and Latvia, a huge disappointment for the nation that won silvers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and 2022 Eurobasket, and bronzes at the 2019 and 2014 World Cup. Because it is the host nation, France receives an automatic bid to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What are Tuesday’s big FIBA World Cup games?

Germany vs. Finland

Canada vs. Latvia

Montenegro vs. Lithuania