Rio de Janeiro, BR…In a battle of the top two teams in Group A, the U.S. men’s basketball team defeated France 100-97 Sunday afternoon, closing out group play with five wins in as many starts. Klay Thompson led all scorers with 30 points and Kevin Durant scored 17, connecting on all six of his field goal attempts. Kyrie Irving added 10 points and was credited with 12 of the team’s 32 assists.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Kevin Durant #5 of United States celebrates with teammate Kyle Lowry #7 during a Men’s Preliminary Round Group A game between the United States and France on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
For the second consecutive game, free throws were the difference for the United States, which made 20 of 27 free throw attempts compared to France’s 10 makes on 17 tries.
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Both teams shot 56 percent from the field, with the U.S. connecting on 35 of 63 attempts and France hitting 41 of 73 tries. France became the first team of the tournament to outrebound the U.S., 35-29.
The tournament now moves to the knockout stage, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 17.