Paris 2024: LeBron James banishes 2004 Olympic demons as Edwards sparks USA to thrash Puerto Rico
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LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024. (FIBA)

Paris 2024: LeBron James banishes 2004 Olympic demons as Edwards sparks USA to thrash Puerto Rico

Tosin Abayomi 19:00 - 03.08.2024

LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024.

The United States put on another incredible show in front of a sellout crowd, defeating Puerto Rico 104-83 in the second quarter to wrap up the group stage with a 3-0 record.

With their +64 point differential and 3-0 record, the United States moves up to the second spot in the Quarter-Finals draw, joining Germany with +47.

USA beat Puerto Rico

Even though Puerto Rico knew they would lose before the game even started, they still went out and gave it their all, closing the first quarter with an 8-point lead.

LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024. (FIBA)
LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024. (FIBA)

They briefly thought they could duplicate the achievement from 2004, when they shocked the United States in the Olympics in Athens, Greece, with 29 points in the first quarter.

On that team was LeBron James. That's probably why he realized he had to take control of the game before it got out of control.

After coach Steve Kerr signaled for a timeout with Puerto Rico trailing 44-41 with four minutes remaining in the second quarter, LeBron came back onto the court and scored six points and disheveled two dunks, two free throws, and another assist to put Puerto Rico ahead 64-45 at the half.

LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024. (FIBA)
LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024. (FIBA)

It seems like a productive day at work when he shoots 4-of-6 from the field and finishes with 10 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds.

It's even more amazing, though, when you realize that LeBron completed all of that in just eighteen minutes of effort, and the USA was a +18 team.

Against a somewhat weaker roster from Puerto Rico, the USA had a clear game plan to run the floor and generate deep seals as quickly as possible.

LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024. (FIBA)
LeBron James gets revenge for 2004 Olympics as Anthony Edwards sparks USA to 104-83 win against Puerto Rico at Paris 2024. (FIBA)

The opposition's defense was sent into a tailspin, and the USA simply shared the ball to find the openings and score easily.

With eighteen points in twenty-two minutes, Jose Alvarado was Puerto Rico's top player of the day.

The United States will now await the draw on Saturday night, local time.

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