In an intense semifinal matchup of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) on August 2, 2024, at The Dak, Carmen’s Crew secured a narrow victory over La Familia with a final score of 76-70.
Carmen’s Crew’s superior three-point shooting proved to be the difference-maker. They shot an impressive 42.4% from beyond the arc (14-33) compared to La Familia’s 26.3% (5-19). This advantage helped overcome La Familia’s slight edge in free throw shooting (76.0% vs 60.0%).
Jared Sullinger led Carmen’s Crew with a dominant performance, scoring 16 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in just 28 minutes of play. Desonta Bradford contributed 15 points and 4 assists, while Kaleb Wesson added 9 points and 4 rebounds.
For La Familia, Kerem Kanter led the scoring with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Willie Cauley-Stein recorded a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds, while Andrew Harrison added 14 points and 5 assists.
The rebounding battle was closely contested, with Carmen’s Crew holding a slight 35-34 edge. Both teams demonstrated balanced scoring, with four players reaching double figures for Carmen’s Crew and three for La Familia.
Carmen’s Crew’s bench provided a crucial spark, outscoring La Familia’s reserves 22-8. Jamel Morris contributed 11 points off the bench for Carmen’s Crew.
The game saw its share of turnovers, with Carmen’s Crew committing 17 compared to La Familia’s 8. However, Carmen’s Crew’s superior assist numbers (17 to 8) suggest better ball movement throughout the game.
La Familia put up a strong fight against Carmen’s Crew in the TBT semifinal, ultimately falling short with a score of 70-76. Despite the loss, they showcased resilience and had several standout performances. The team demonstrated a balanced offensive attack with four players scoring in double figures, highlighting their depth and ability to spread the scoring load. Kerem Kanter led the charge with 17 points on efficient 6-of-12 shooting, while also grabbing 7 rebounds. Willie Cauley-Stein impressed with a near double-double of 14 points and 9 rebounds, including 5 crucial offensive boards. Andrew Harrison contributed an all-around game with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, demonstrating his versatility as a guard.
La Familia’s efficient free-throw shooting, going 19-for-25 (76%), kept them competitive throughout the game. They also matched Carmen’s Crew on the boards, pulling down 34 rebounds to their opponent’s 35, and showed excellent ball security with only 8 turnovers. However, the team struggled in key areas that ultimately cost them the game. Their three-point shooting was subpar at 26.3% (5-for-19), a significant factor in the loss, especially compared to Carmen’s Crew’s 42.4% from beyond the arc. Bench production was another weakness, with La Familia’s reserves being outscored 22-8. The team also recorded only 8 assists compared to Carmen’s Crew’s 17, indicating less ball movement and potentially more isolation play. Defensively, La Familia managed only 1 steal, suggesting a need for increased pressure to create more turnover opportunities. Despite these shortcomings, La Familia’s strong inside presence and ability to get to the free-throw line kept them competitive throughout the game, showcasing their potential even in defeat.
This victory propels Carmen’s Crew to the TBT final, keeping their hopes alive for the tournament’s grand prize. Their ability to connect from long range and get contributions from their bench proved to be the difference in this closely contested semifinal.
