USA, Czech Republic reach quarterfinals at FIBA World Cup

Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals, gifting the Czech Republic a spot in the final eight after stifling Brazil 89-73 in the second round of FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Kemba Walker and Myles Turner scored 16 points apiece as the U.S. beat Brazil 89-73 in the final second-round game, setting up a quarterfinal clash with France in Dongguan on Wednesday.

Team USA also guaranteed qualification to the Tokyo Olympics. The U.S. men will be in the Olympics for the 19th time next summer, with 15 gold medals, one silver, and two bronze.

United States' Jaylen Brown prepares to dunk during a match against Brazil for the FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. [Photo: IC]

Earlier in the same group, Czech Republic lost to Greece 84-77, but a later USA win over Brazil gifted the Czechs a place in the final eight.

The Czechs will encounter Australia in the quarterfinals, who squeezed out France 100-98 to top Group L and sent its opponent to the duel with Team USA.

In the classification round, Montenegro crushed Japan 80-65 and New Zealand edged Turkey 102-101 in Group O. Jordan overcame Senegal 79-77 while Germany beat Canada 82-76 in Group P.