Brazil are looking to upset the odds and eliminate Team USA from the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.
The team, led by Steve Kerr, have so far come through unscathed at the games but now start to face the bigger hitters in the knockout rounds.
And starting with the quarter-finals against Brazil, LeBron James and Co will need to be at their best to avoid any upsets.
Kerr is aware of the threat posed by the South Americans and says their physical play style makes them one of the most dangerous teams at the tournament.
He said: “They’re very physical. I think they’re the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the tournament.
“They’ve got a lot of really good shooters, and they just play hard. They compete play after play, so we’ll have to be ready for their physicality and their shooting, and we need to be on edge and ready for them because they’re not going to back down.”
🇺🇸 #USABMNT vs 🇧🇷 Brazil
Meeting in the Olympics for the first time since 1996. pic.twitter.com/ZKTdKLn5ix
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 3, 2024
Gui Santos is the only current NBA player for Brazil and he will come up against Golden State Warriors team-mate Steph Curry on the court.
He is joined by five former players from the league, who are now all over 30.
Brazil have the best offensive rebound stats at the Olympics this year, averaging 13 per game and shooting 45% from three-point range.
It is more than enough information for Team USA to be fully aware of what could happen should they not be up to scratch.
James added: “I’ve watched all the games.
“They’re very dedicated to their offensive and defensive systems.”
