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Jayson Tatum leads the way early in Team USA’s opening victory

By Kevin Connelly

SHANGHAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Jayson Tatum #10 of USA in action against Blake Schilb of Czech Republic during the 1st round Group E march between USA and Czech Republic of 2019 FIBA World Cup at the Oriental Sports Center on September 1, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Jayson Tatum #10 of USA in action against Blake Schilb of Czech Republic during the 1st round Group E march between USA and Czech Republic of 2019 FIBA World Cup at the Oriental Sports Center on September 1, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /
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Team USA logged its first win of the FIBA World Cup on Sunday morning thanks to an early boost from former Duke Basketball star Jayson Tatum.

The games really, really count now for Team USA as the team tipped off in the FIBA World Cup on Sunday morning in Group E against the Czech Republic.

After going 3-1 in its pre-World Cup scrimmages, the American’s brought its stellar defense to China, holding the Czechs to 67 points in the 88-67 victory.

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Former Duke Basketball sensation and current Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum led Team USA early with 10 points at halftime.

Tatum wasn’t able to find the basket in the second half, finishing his National Team debut with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a block.

The former Blue Devil struggled from the field, making 4-of-11 from the field but was 2-of-5 from 3-point territory.

Mason Plumlee also saw the floor for Team USA on Sunday, but the Denver Nuggets big man saw very limited action compared to the rest of the team.

The former National Champion logged a team-low five minutes, but was able to record three rebounds and a block despite going scoreless and missing both of his attempts from the field.

Fellow big man Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks played the second fewest minutes on Sunday with ten.

The American’s were able to create serious separation from the Czech Republic after outscoring the Czech’s by 11 points in the second quarter and taking a 14 point lead into halftime.

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Team USA will be back on the court on Tuesday, September 3 against Turkey in the second game of  Group E play.

In China the game will tipoff at 8:30pm, while fans in the United States of America can see the game live on ESPN+ at 8:30am EST.

Turkey was able to defeat Japan 86-67 in the first Group E game of the tournament.

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