Team USA will have another opportunity to develop cohesion on Friday with a date against the Puerto Rico national team. The Americans opened the exhibition season just a week ago and needed a strong fourth quarter to finally pull away from a Brazilian national team that showed kinks in USA’s armor. Earlier this week, Team USA improved to 2-0 by blowing out the Dominican Republic.
Team USA vs. Puerto Rico: Game time, TV schedule and more
USA Basketball continues its preparation for the 2014 World Cup with an exhibition outing against a scrappy Puerto Rican squad.
Ethan Miller
Coach Mike Krzyzewski's team faces an opponent with a few familiar faces. Former NBA point guard Carlos Arroyo played his part in making the Americans question their national team program approach with a stunning victory more than a decade ago. Arroyo is joined by speedy Minnesota Timberwolves point guard J.J. Barea, former Knicks draft pick Renaldo Balkman and former Blazers second-round pick Ricky Sanchez.
Though Team USA is the heavy favorite, Krzyzewski will surely learn a bit about his roster from this outing. Rudy Gay's place on the squad following Kevin Durant's decision to sit out the World Cup is to-be-determined, and DeMarcus Cousins' injury a few weeks ago leaves a few question marks at center.
More than anything, the Americans will use the opportunity to further develop roles beyond the expected contributions from Anthony Davis and Derrick Rose. Rose is reportedly going to play after sitting on against the Dominican Republic with a sore knee.
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2 / WatchESPN
Where: Madison Square Garden
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