Team USA Advance to Quarterfinals with Win Over Czech Republic

After opening Olympic play with a disappointing loss to France, Team USA has now advanced to the quarterfinals following Saturday’s 119-84 victory over the Czech Republic.

This was a must-win game for the U.S. as the Czech Republic also entered the contest having only lost to France and defeating Iran through their first two games of group play.

With just one current NBA player on its roster, the Czech Republic led 25-18 behind a 65 percent shooting performance in the first quarter. 

Not much went their way afterward. 

The Americans would open the second quarter on a 19-8 run, leading to a 29-point quarter and a 47-43 halftime lead. 

Kevin Durant’s 13 first-half points pushed him past Carmelo Anthony to become the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team’s all-time scoring leader. He also passed Anthony for the most free throws made in USA Olympic history with 54.

As a team, the U.S. was nearly perfect from the field (12-13 Fg) in the third quarter missing just one shot. They ended that quarter on a 16-2 run to establish an extended lead entering the final quarter. 

In the win, Team USA outscored the Czech Republic 72-41 over the final two quarters on 26-for-34 (76%) shooting from the field, including 13-for-21 (61%) from three-point range. 

Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 27 points for Team USA, Durant had 23 points and Zach Lavine added 13 points.

For the Czech Republic, Jan Vesely had 13 points and Chicago Bulls guard Tomas Satoransky scored 12 points. 

Team USA now looks forward to the quarterfinals that will run from August 3-7.

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