Myles Turner had his best game so far in the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Monday, scoring 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting, pulling down eight rebounds, and collecting two steals in the United States' 89-73 win over Brazil in Shenzhen.
Greece's win over the Czech Republic earlier on Monday officially advanced Team USA to the quarterfinals, but the victory over Brazil sealed first place in Group K. The Americans will face France on Wednesday at 7:00 AM ET.
PHOTO GALLERY: Myles Turner at 2019 FIBA World Cup »
Turner started at center and tallied six quick points on Monday, helping the United States jump out to an early 14-7 lead.
Brazil clawed back to tie the game at 23 early in the second quarter, but Turner scored four points during a subsequent 5-0 run that put the Americans back in front. The USA remained in front the rest of the half, taking a 43-39 lead into halftime.
USA Basketball pulled away in the second half, with Turner again playing a big role. He opened the scoring in the third quarter by running the break, catching a long outlet pass from Donovan Mitchell, and converting in transition. He added two jumpers — one banked in from the wing — over the rest of the frame.
The United States took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter and opened the final frame with a 16-6 run to put the game away.
Turner shared team-high scoring honors with Kemba Walker, who had 16 points while going 6-for-9 from the field and five assists. Jaylen Brown added 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Harrison Barnes scored 10 points in the victory.
The win also secured a spot for the United States in the 2020 Olympics. The two top-finishing teams from the Americas clinch a spot in Tokyo, and the USA and Argentina were the only two teams from the Americas to advance the quarterfinals.
They could potentially meet in the semifinals, as Argentina faces Serbia in the other quarterfinal game on the United States' side of the bracket. The other side of the bracket features Spain vs. Poland and Australia vs. the Czech Republic.
Regardless of results, all of the teams that reached the quarterfinals will play three more games, as there is a loser's bracket to seed the teams from first to eighth. If the Americans, win on Wednesday, they will play the Argentina-Serbia winner on Friday. If they lose, they will face the Argentina-Serbia loser on Thursday.
Meanwhile in Nanjing on Monday, Lithuania cruised to a 74-55 win over the Dominican Republic in their final game of the World Cup. Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis was held out of Monday's contest after his country was eliminated from advancing following Saturday's loss to France.