The United States will look to make it 47 consecutive Olympic wins, and more importantly earn a semifinal place in Rio with a victory over Japan on Tuesday at 5:45 ET on NBCSN. Here’s what to look out for in this pivotal quarterfinal matchup.

Defense Wins…Gold Medals

If you’ve played a team sport you’ve likely heard the phrase, “defense wins championships.” As cliche as this old adage may be, it definitely applies to the Women’s National Team at these Olympics. The U.S. ranks in the top two in steals, blocks, and defensive rebounds. They lead the rest of the world in total steals (58), and defensive rebounds (158) while their 18 blocks in group play were only two back of the Olympic leaders, Serbia.

Their defensive intensity will be key against the Japanese who are shooting the rock at the third best clip in Rio (44.4 percent). If the United States can continue its stifling defensive pressure and force Japan into turnovers or bad shots, it should be smooth sailing for the U.S. into the next round.

Tina Charles on holding China to 8-of-26 from 3-point:

I think all tournament we’ve been doing a great job on the defensive end, picking up the intensity. In the second half, you don’t want to get complacent. You still want to have that sense of urgency like you do when the score is 0-0.

Three’s Company In The Paint  

Coming into the Olympics the United States’ superior athleticism in the paint was undeniable. While guards and outside shooters like Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne, and Diana Taurasi have been grabbing the headlines in Rio, it’s the play of the team’s trio of bigs, Brittney Griner, Tina Charles, and Sylvia Fowles, that have been the most unflappable.

Charles and Griner have been the the starting power forward-center combination for Coach Auriemma and have not disappointed, averaging a combined 23.8 points per game. Fowles picks up right where these two leave off when she enters proceedings; her 9.6 points per game are the fifth most on the team. Japan boasts no one over 6’3″ on their roster, so the bigs of the United States should feast around the rim.

Coach Auriemma on the Charles/Griner duo: 

Little by little, we’re getting really comfortable with Tina (Charles) and Brittney together out there. That first 15 minutes it was Tina versus China. It was unbelievable. She was unbelievable. I don’t know how many ways she scored in the first half. She was really fun to watch.

Another Game, Another Potential For 100 Points

The United States has been on a scoring tear in Brazil, putting up 100-plus points in four of their five group stage contests. If they hit the century mark again on Tuesday against Japan they will tie the all-time U.S. Olympic record for most 100-point games at five. With two more games presumably on the docket after the Japan showdown, the United States can break the mark set by the 1996 team in Atlanta by the semifinals. But, no slice of history without a win Tuesday.

Seimone Augustus on scoring 100 points in four of five games:

And E (Elena Delle Donne) didn’t even play today. There’s so many great (players) … (Tamika) Catchings has been getting in and out … there are so many great players doing great things, it’s scary how good this team could become by the gold medal game.

Seattle Storm Reunion In Rio 

The Storm’s Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart will see a familiar face across the court on Tuesday in Ramu Tokashiki. The 25-year-old Japanese native was signed by Seattle in 2015 and selected to the All-Rookie team in her first season of WNBA action. Before departing for Japanese national team duties, she was averaging 4.6 points per game for the Storm in 21 appearances.

Sue Bird on playing against teammate Ramu Tokashiki:

First of all, I’m super happy for her. Last year, she had to qualify, so she left our team to do that. Then this year going into the Olympics, we joked about playing each other, and we knew, both of us, the only way that was going to happen is if she and her team could advance, and they did. I’m really proud of her. I know she’s very excited.

Bringing New Meaning To “Bench Spark”

With names like Delle Donne, McCoughtry, Catchings, and Stewart on the pine for the United States at tip-off, there’s truly no let down when the second unit takes the floor. Auriemma has his pick of scoring champions, All-Stars, and the presumptive Rookie of the Year to choose from. The squad’s bevy of prolific ballers off the bench give opponent’s backups a fit as they have to contend with stars at every turn.

The trio of Angel, Elena, and Breanna has combined for 28.3 points per game through the team’s first five contests. Japan, like all the other United States opponents, will be forced to keep pace with the world’s best for the entire 40 minute game duration.

Breanna Stewart on how can an opponent go against the depth of your team when it’s wave after wave:

That’s a great question and I don’t really know if there is an answer for it.  No matter who we put in the game, when someone gets in foul trouble like tonight or someone needs a rest or that kind of thing, we can just continue to sub and sub and sub and our bench and our entire team has a great amount of depth on what we can do on the court.