Blog

Apr 21, 2024

USA pulls away vs. Greece in second half, advances in FIBA World Cup

New Orleans forward Brandon Ingram may not be generating big individual numbers so far during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but USA Basketball continues to roll, remaining perfect Monday by virtue of a

New Orleans forward Brandon Ingram may not be generating big individual numbers so far during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but USA Basketball continues to roll, remaining perfect Monday by virtue of a 109-81 victory over Greece. The Americans led just 23-19 after a quarter and 50-37 at intermission, before dominating the second half vs. a Greece squad that does not have Giannis Antetokounmpo. As a result, USA has clinched a spot in the second phase of group play, assured of being one of the top two teams in Group C, regardless of Wednesday’s outcome vs. 0-2 Jordan (3:40 a.m. Central, ESPN2).

In America’s victories over New Zealand and Greece, Ingram has logged a total of 33 minutes, 10 seconds, roughly the equivalent of what he averages per game for New Orleans (34.2 minutes in 2022-23, second on team behind CJ McCollum’s 35.3). Ingram’s modest totals in group play are seven points, five rebounds and five assists, with him only taking eight shots from the field, making three baskets. The second team to advance from Group C will be determined by Wednesday’s game between Greece (1-1) and New Zealand (1-1).

In other World Cup action involving New Orleans players:

SUNDAYLithuania 96, Mexico 66Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas notched his second straight double-double despite logging fewer than 20 minutes of playing time in both games, as Lithuania (2-0) guaranteed that it will advance to the next phase of group play. The top slot in Group D will be determined by Tuesday’s Lithuania matchup against Montenegro (2-0), which has also registered convincing wins over Egypt and Mexico.

Valanciunas is 11/20 from the field (55 percent) in the World Cup, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds among his 22 total boards.

Germany 85, Australia 82One-year veteran guard Dyson Daniels did not play in the narrow defeat, after logging three minutes in Australia’s opening blowout win over Finland. For Australia to advance out of Group E, it must prevail Tuesday vs. Japan (6:10 a.m.).