Shenzhen Government Online
USA rise above Greece to book fourth win
From: FIBA
Updated: 2019-09-08 09:09

Donovan Mitchell (USA-5) guarding the ball with his body from a squad of Greek players while trying to pass it to one of his teammates. Photo by Liu Xudong

SHENZHEN (China) - Team USA would not be denied their fourth straight win at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 after beating Greece, 69-53, in a low-scoring Second Round encounter at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.

Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo put up big numbers in this game, but it was the stifling defense of coach Gregg Popovich's squad that ultimately proved to be the difference. The Greeks were held to their lowest scoring output of the World Cup so far, and their prospects of advancing to the Quarter-Finals suffered because of it.

Team USA had six players score 8 points or more, led by Kemba Walker's 15 points, while Antetokounmpo paced Hellas with a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double and Kostas Sloukas added 13 points.

"We played a very experienced team. They are really well-coached, one that is both physical and executes very well. It was a good test for us, and it helped us get better." - USA head coach Gregg Popovich

"It was a tough game. We congratulate the US team. They have too much intensity for 40 minutes. We tried to stop them with zone and matchup defense, but they are just too much. We missed a lot even with free-throws, too, so it's very difficult to beat a team like the US when we play like this." - Greece head coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos



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