The USA Basketball Men’s National Team narrowly defeated Australia 98-92 in an Olympic warmup game on Monday, despite a strong comeback from the Boomers.
The US held a 24-point lead in the third quarter, but Australia managed to cut the deficit to 86-80 in the fourth quarter. However, consecutive three-pointers from Tyrese Haliburton sealed the win for the USA after Australia missed key opportunities to reduce the lead further.
The USA team had 18 turnovers, and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker admitted that performances like these “will not win us the gold medal.”
Though Team USA boasts the most talented player pool globally, issues with team chemistry and a lack of hustle compared to opponents have often been cited as weaknesses. Despite this, Team USA has won seven of the eight men’s basketball gold medals since professionals first competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
“We stopped playing mid-third quarter and started turning the ball over,” said Team USA coach Steve Kerr. “The game shifted. We don’t have the continuity like a team like Australia. It takes a little time to become a team. We will get there. This is a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later.”
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers led Team USA with 17 points and 14 rebounds in just 18 minutes, playing crucial defense. Devin Booker added 16 points, and Anthony Edwards had 14.
For Australia, the defending Olympic bronze medalist, Jock Landale scored a game-high 20 points, along with seven rebounds and six assists.
“Our defense had a little slippage; back cuts kind of hurt us,” Davis said. “But offensive rebounds for them have nothing to do with the short time we’ve been together. That’s all effort.”