Team USA is in excellent shape to move into the semis. Can Brazil put up a solid fight?

Catch the game early on Wednesday, August 7th, at 3:30 AM, Manila time.

USA (3-0)

Starting five:

  • Stephen Curry
  • Devin Booker
  • LeBron James
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Anthony Davis

As expected, Team USA breezed through the Group stage with three-straight wins and having zero signs of trouble. They notched 105.7 points per game and won by 24.4 points.

LeBron James will continue leading the way, especially among the starters. He has showcased being the floor leader and key scorer with 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 64.3% shooting across three outings. Devin Booker has 10.3 PPG in that same span, and with how head coach Steve Kerr heaped praise towards him, he may remain in the starting lineup.

The second unit is arguably even scarier as it has the combo of Kevin Durant (16.0 PPG) and Anthony Edwards (16.7 PPG), two of the squad’s top scorers in the tournament. Both have been having fun putting defenses at their mercy.

Expect the Americans’ offense to keep flourishing, and for their defense to keep those stops coming. They should be able to get this W comfortably.

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Brazil (1-2)

  • Marcelino Huertas
  • Georginho De Paula
  • Leo Meindl
  • Bruno Caboclo
  • Christiano Felicio

Brazil routed Japan in its Group stage finale, 102-84. It was a big enough win that they pushed themselves into the quarterfinals. They averaged just 80.3 PPG in three contests while allowing 82.6 on the other end.

Vitor Benite has emerged as the team’s leading scorer with 14.3 PPG on 59.3% shooting, including 9-of-16 from downtown. Former NBA forward Bruno Caboclo is right behind him at 13.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG, thanks in good part to his monster game vs. Japan. Interestingly, they are only getting 19.1 and 18.6 minutes of gametime. They ought to have a whole lot more than that in this do-or-die battle.

Marcelino Huertas, also a former NBA cager, is doing an okay job with 8.7 PPPG and 5.0 APG. Beyond the former Los Angeles Laker, though, is a lot of inefficiency, with Gui Santos and Leo Meindl shooting a combined 17-of-54 (31.4%).

With all that, it’s tough to imagine how they can keep up with the opposition’s offense and/or stop them on defense. Maybe they can just prevent USA from covering?

PICKS:

Spread: Brazil (+26.5)

Over/Under: Over (184)

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