Japan posted a staggering 27% FG, 18% 3-pt and 67% free-throw line as the USA received a well-needed walkthrough before the elimination games ahead.
Greg Popovich needed to call two get-right second-half timeouts, treating a 40-point lead like the Japanese had closed within single digits. It still signaled an incomplete effort against an opponent that couldn’t muster much. The USA advanced from Group E with a 98-45 thumping over 0-3 Japan, but enters the knockoff stage appearing more damaged than their spotless record suggests.
Marcus Smart sat out on Thursday with strained left quad. Brian Windhorst reported that he’s day-to-day with the same injury that limited him earlier in the summer.