MIAMI (United States) – An offensive performance for the ages by the United States, a pair of South American countries booking their spots in the next round and three teams remaining unbeaten headlined Days 3 and 4 of the FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers’ second window. These are five great things from Sunday and Monday’s action:
USA DOMINATE WITH HISTORIC OFFENSE
The United States responded emphatically to their loss to the Dominican Republic, scoring 123 points in their Sunday win over Mexico. That tied the FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers’ record, one they had established in November.
To do so, Stephen Silas’ team set new high marks in made field goals (46) and assists (36), while also draining 17 three-pointers and collecting the second-highest efficiency rating for a team (160). Former NBA players David Roddy, Brandon Knight and Elfrid Payton Jr. had majestic performances to get their country back on track.
ARGENTINA AND URUGUAY ADVANCE
The returns of Facundo Campazzo and Gabriel Deck helped Argentina put away Panama and punch their ticket to the Second Round.
Uruguay also advanced after defeating Cuba and sits atop Group D with a flawless 4-0 record. The squad coached by Gerardo Jauri has proven impressive on both ends of the floor, holding Argentina to 44 points one day and then dropping 88 against Cuba in their next game.
Joaquín Rodríguez is blossoming into a continental superstar, while Santiago Vescovi, Emiliano Serres and Martín Rojas are stepping into key roles.
AND THEN THERE WERE THREE (UNDEFEATED)
Uruguay isn’t the only team with an unblemished record, as both Canada and Brazil also boast 4-0 marks in Groups B and C, respectively. After winning in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Thursday, Canada went into Kingston, Jamaica, and handed the home team their second consecutive loss.
NBA stars and European-based stalwarts like Mfiondu Kabengele and Trae Bell-Haynes were absent. However, Canada got plenty of production from Marcus Carr, Charles Bediako and veteran Kyle Wiltjer to extend their winning streak.
Meanwhile, Brazil took care of business at home with double-digit victories over Venezuela and Colombia. Leo Meindl, Georginho De Paula, Lucas Dias and 21-year-old Wini Silva had strong performances across both games in the window.
EVERYONE’S DREAMS REMAIN ALIVE
After two windows, no team has been mathematically eliminated. Nicaragua (0-4) was close in Group A, but the United States’ win over Mexico gave them hope. While the road ahead may look difficult, they’re still in the race. Chile and Cuba (both 0-4) also still have a path forward in Groups C and D. Puerto Rico and Bahamas (1-3 in Group B) remain within striking distance, while Mexico (2-2), Colombia (2-1) and Jamaica (2-2) are in stronger position but have yet to secure qualification.
REVENGE OF THE GUARDS
Three of the top four individual offensive performances in this Americas Qualifiers window came from small guards, and all happened during this window. Canada’s Marcus Carr dropped 35 in his country’s win over Puerto Rico after shooting 11-for-23 from the field and a perfect 11-for-11 from the charity stripe. He also had 9 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal for an efficiency rating of 34. Franco Miller was exceptional in the Bahamas’ upset in Kingston, going off for 32 points (6-for-13 from beyond the arc) and 6 assists to snap Jamaica’s winning streak.
Marcos Chacón of Cuba shot 5-for-8 from downtown en route to 30 points in their narrow loss against Panama in what almost became the nation’s first-ever Americas Qualifiers win.
FIBA