RECIFE, BRAZIL – NBA needed to win Sunday’s AmeriCup and was on track to do so.
That is, until it rains.
The Americans’ match against Venezuela was postponed at halftime with the United States leading 48-21. Heavy rain caused multiple leaks inside the Geraldo Magalhães Sports Gymnasium, leading officials to determine that the match could not be safely resumed.
The International Basketball Federation said the game will resume on Tuesday afternoon, which means the Americans will have to play for three consecutive days as they try to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Both Venezuela and the United States will play their final group stage matches scheduled for Monday.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) allowed Group B matches to be played later on Sunday at the same arena as scheduled. The Dominican Republic (1-1) beat the Virgin Islands (0-2), and Argentina (2-0) beat Puerto Rico (1-1).
Venezuela’s match is crucial for the United States, who entered Sunday’s Group C match 0-1 after falling to Mexico in Friday’s opener. The Americans will need at least one win in their three group matches, and possibly two, to reach the quarter-finals starting later this week.
It is possible that Mexico (2-0) secured its berth in the quarter-finals earlier Sunday by leading Panama (0-2).
The Americans gave up the first basket of the game and then went in the 18-2 round and just kept going. The US shot 56% in the first half, compared to Venezuela’s 33%, and led by 24-0 on points from a 3-point range.
Craig Sword had 12 first-half points for the United States, and 11 of the 12 Americans had scored by the time play was stopped.
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