Team USA rounds off its 2024 Paris Olympics group phase against Puerto Rico on Saturday. Unbeaten in two games, the Americans are favored to continue the streak against Jose Alvarado and Co.
Despite some minor issues and stars like Steph Curry being out of form, the USA has managed to overcome these problems with ease, thanks to the talent at their disposal. It has the highest point differential in the tournament (+43).
Meanwhile, the Puerto Rico Men's basketball team's Olympic run would end after this clash. It had an underwhelming run, losing both its opening games, ending hopes of a potential qualification to the knockout rounds. It's still possible mathematically, but a -52-point differential stands in Puerto Rico's way of making it past the group stages.
The Puerto Ricans will still hope to end the Olympics on a high, and doing that against the mighty Americans could be just what they need.
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Puerto Rico vs Team USA Predicted Starting 5s and Depth Charts for 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball
Puerto Rico's starting lineup isn't expected to change, while Team USA's rotation will be under the scanner again. With so much talent on the roster, Steve Kerr's rotations have been flexible based on their opponents' strengths and weaknesses.
However, that has resulted in the benching of some of the biggest NBA stars like Jayson Tatum, who missed the opener against Serbia and Joel Embiid, who was held out against South Sudan.
Here's a look at how both teams could line up on Saturday:
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico could start Jose Alvarado at point guard, Tremont Waters at shooting guard, George Conditt IV at small forward, Isaiah Pineiro at power forward and Ismael Romero at center.
USA
Steve Kerr announced after Wednesday's win over South Sudan that he would go back his Olympics opener starting lineup against Puerto Rico. Steph Curry will start at point guard, Jrue Holiday at shooting guard, Devin Booker at small forward, LeBron James at power forward and Joel Embiid at center.
Team USA needs Steph Curry and Joel Embiid to get going
Team USA has qualified for the quarter finals, but they will treat this final contest in the group phase to lock in the No. 1 seed. Steph Curry and Joel Embiid's performances will also be under the scanner. The former NBA MVPs have been underwhelming so far.
Curry played both games, averaging 7.0 points on 29.4% shooting, including 23.1% from 3. Meanwhile, in his only appearance against Serbia, Embiid managed four points and two rebounds on 2 of 5 shots.
Embiid had more lowlights than highlights in the showcase games, too. He's not meshed well in team schemes, especially on offense. Defensively, he's not been at his best, either, with Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo showing much better intensity and intent on that end.
USA will hope Curry and Embiid rediscover their mojos in this final contest ahead of the tricky knockout rounds.