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FIBA World Cup: Knicks' Brunson Scores, Hart Boards in Team USA Win (Highlights)

Long-tenured teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart showcased their chemistry for an international audience as each New York Knick came up big in a healthy FIBA World Cup victory over Greece.

Geoff Magliocchetti

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First, it was Philadelphia. Then, it was New York. Now, it's Manila.

The Jalen Brunson-Josh Hart chemistry tour continued in style on Monday as each player reached double-figures in their own unique way at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila. SM Mall of Asia Arena hosted the United States' men's basketball team's 109-81 victory over Greece in the second of three games in Group C pool play, which saw vital combinations from the New York Knicks' American pair.

Brunson and Hart united to shoot a perfect 7-of-7 from the field in the win. The former earned five en route to 13 points, which was best among the American starters alongside Anthony Edwards (Minnesota). Hart, his fellow Villanova alum, was dominant in the glass game, pulling in 11 rebounds, including five of the offensive variety that partly led to 13 second-chance points.

Hart also dished out five assists in the victory, one of which went to Brunson for a deep triple. 

Thanks to other results in Monday's Group C action, Team USA (2-0) has already clinched a spot in the second round of the competition. It can clinch the group outright on Wednesday with a win over Jordan (4:40 a.m. ET, ESPN2). 

Monday's victory against the Greeks, who are missing the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo, was a relatively easy affair for the Americans after they had some early trouble with New Zealand in Saturday's opener. The red, white, and blue jumped out to a 17-point lead after the first half and never looked back, posting an advantage that summitted at 31 during the final 20 minutes. Team USA owned a 32-6 advantage in fast break scoring and enjoyed 60 points from their depth stars off the bench.

Fan favorite Austin Reaves (LA Lakers) led the Americans with 15 points and six assists, earning those tallies in just over 17 minutes off the bench. Reaves and Paolo Banchero (Orlando) each sank six from the foul line, part of a showing that saw the Americans visit the charity stripe on 34 occasions, sinking 30 of those opportunities. Georgios Papagiannis, a first-round pick from the 2016 draft, led Greece with 17 points in defeat. 

Elsewhere in Monday's Group C action, New Zealand took a 95-87 overtime decision from Jordan, giving all other participants at least one loss. Team USA has already topped Greece and New Zealand, giving them the respective head-to-head tiebreakers. 

Greece, which faces New Zealand on Wednesday (8:40 a.m. ET, ESPN+), currently holds to advancement tiebreaker at minus-7. 

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks

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