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20 November, 2017
26 February, 2019
6 Larry Drew Ii (USA)
23/02/2018
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United States will try to stay undefeated, but Cuba needs a victory

SANTA CRUZ (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 — Under Jeff Van Gundy's tutelage, the United States have not underestimated their rivals from the Americas. The North American squad won the FIBA AmeriCup without a single loss and, then, started off with two victories in their mission to qualify for the FIBA World Cup 2019 in China.

With practically a new team, United States (2-0) will start the second window of the Qualifiers playing in Santa Cruz, California, against Cuba (0-2) a team that need a victory if they do not want to miss their objective of moving forward in Group C —completed by Puerto Rico and Mexico, teams that have a 1-1 record.

As a matter of fact, the United States will play as locals in Santa Cruz their two games this week. First, against the Cubans and then, on Monday, against Puerto Rico.

Van Gundy's squad will only repeat two players from last November (Larry Drew II and Travis Wear) for this week’s duels, since many of the ballers that played in the last window obtained contracts with the NBA. At the last minute, the Americans had to make a change in their roster by adding guard Damion Lee to replace Marcus Thorton, who signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Although they have a renovated team, the United States understand they have enough material to accumulate victories against the Cubans and, in the beginning of next week, against Puerto Rico, a team they already defeated in November (85-78).

The biggest advantage USA have against their next rivals is that they were able to play a friendly game in which they comfortably defeated a team from the Mexican Professional Basketball League, thanks to the 15 triples they were able to score. In the November Qualifiers, the United States were the team that more distance throws achieved in the Americas, with 23 three-pointers in the wins against Puerto Rico and Mexico.

In Cuba's case, the quintet coached by Leonardo Pérez will depend on the performance done by their main figure, center Javier Justiz, who lead the team in the first window with an average of 17.0 rebounds per game, and was second in points, with 23.0. Justiz was the only player to attain a double-double in the two games played in November.

Another key figure for Cuba will be small forward Karel Guzmán Abreu, who averaged 10.0 points and was the leader in assists, with 4.0.

In their first game in November, Cuba fought Mexico but fell defeated, 72-66. Three days later, in front of their people in Havana, the Cubans put up little resistance against Puerto Rico, who took the victory 95-72.
After their encounter with the United States, Cuba will host Monday's game against Mexico in their capital city.

FIBA