Team USA Basketball fought off a late comeback attempt from Australia to secure its second exhibition game win as the team continues its pre-Olympics showcase schedule.
The United States defeated Canada on Wednesday, 86-72, in the first game of the USA Basketball Showcase in Las Vegas. They followed that up with a 98-92 victory over the Australian Boomers on Monday in a tightly contested game that got close in the final moments.
Australia managed to expose some of Team USA’s flaws in the fourth quarter with a robust defensive effort, forcing turnovers and missed shots. However, clutch performances by Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker helped maintain the United States’ lead for the win.
The Team USA roster will have played five games together during the showcase before the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics. After completing two games in Abu Dhabi, the team will head to London for two more games before their first group stage match on July 28.
Here’s a breakdown of Team USA’s victory over Australia in their pre-Olympics tune-up game.
Clutch free-throw shooting by Booker ensured the U.S. stayed ahead despite a late surge by Australia. Team USA now prepares to face Serbia in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Jock Landale provided a glimmer of hope for Australia with a quick basket and an and-one conversion, cutting the deficit to four points with seconds to play.
Booker hit a critical fadeaway jumper with 30 seconds remaining, extending Team USA’s lead to nine points.
Tyrese Haliburton broke a scoring drought for the U.S. with back-to-back corner 3-pointers, pushing their lead to 92-81.
Australia cut into the American lead, making it a close game down the stretch. At one point, Team USA was up 86-80 with five minutes remaining.
The United States maintained a lead at the end of the third quarter, up 76-61. The lineup at that point included Curry, Edwards, Tatum, James, and Davis.
Australia went on a 14-2 run due to several Team USA turnovers, pushing their total to 12 turnovers by late in the third quarter.
Derrick White is still waiting for his debut as Team USA continued with their rotation of two five-man lineups throughout the game. The team led 67-53 as the third quarter wound down.
At halftime, Team USA was ahead 53-37. Joel Embiid added a 3-pointer to further the lead.
Seven minutes into the second quarter, Team USA had a perfect record from the free-throw line, going 11/11, and extending their lead to 46-30.
Curry ended a scoring drought for Team USA with a crucial 3-pointer, as Australia chipped away at their lead mid-second quarter.
Curry, Edwards, Tatum, James, and Embiid returned to the court early in the second quarter, maintaining a strong performance.
After the first quarter, Team USA led 32-21. Full lineup substitutions came halfway through the first quarter as Haliburton, Adebayo, Davis, Holiday, and Booker subbed in.
Anthony Edwards led all players with 11 points in the first five minutes, showing a perfect shooting record from beyond the arc.
LeBron James and Anthony Edwards started hot from 3-point range, both 2/2, early in the first quarter.
The United States will next play Serbia in Abu Dhabi for their third exhibition game on Wednesday, July 17, at noon ET, airing on FS1.
Team USA’s exhibition schedule continues with games in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, and London, preparing them for the Paris Olympics starting July 24. All Team USA men’s basketball games will be available to stream on Peacock, with Olympic coverage available on NBC and other affiliated networks.