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U.S. guard Jalen Brunson (11) is fouled by Greece center Georgios Papagiannis (14) as he shots during the first half of a Basketball World Cup group C match in Manila, Philippines Monday, Aug. 28, 2023.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The first required step at the Basketball World Cup for the Americans is now complete. They’re going to the tournament’s second round.
An achievement, technically — but one barely worth acknowledging.
Winning gold is the only goal for the Americans on this end-of-summer trip to Manila, and Monday was just another step, they hope, toward getting there. Austin Reaves led a balanced scoring effort with 15 points and the U.S. topped Greece 109-81 to clinch a spot in the second round that starts Friday.
“There’s only really one thing that gets us excited out here,” U.S. guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “We’ve got to take care of business every night to be able to do that.”
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and Anthony Edwards each scored 13 for the Americans (2-0), who haven’t lost in seven games overall this summer. Brunson made all five of his shots, Bobby Portis had 10 points and Josh Hart grabbed 11 rebounds for the winners.
The win, combined with New Zealand’s 95-87 overtime victory over Jordan earlier Monday, ensured that the U.S. is moving on. The Americans will finish group play against Jordan on Wednesday, then play Lithuania and Montenegro — in some order — on Friday and Sunday in Round 2.
“We’re really excited to win the first two and to guarantee ourselves moving to the next round,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. “But we just keep on, one game at a time — and, hopefully, six more.”
Georgios Papagiannis led Greece (1-1) with 17 points. Nikos Rogkavopoulous added 14.
“We couldn’t compete the way we wanted to,” Greece coach Dimitrios Itoudis said….
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