LeBron James was named earlier in the day to carry the American flag during Friday’s 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. Still, he also had to take the USA Basketball Men’s National Team down the line in their final exhibition game on Monday.
The two-time gold medalist scored 11 of his 20 points late, including six in 44 seconds, to help the top-ranked United States defeat third-ranked Germany 92-88 at London’s O2 Arena to conclude the USA Basketball Showcase. It was the second game in a row that James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was called upon to save the United States. He hit a go-ahead layup with 8 seconds remaining Saturday in a 101-100 victory over Olympic newcomer South Sudan.
“It was a good test for us, and I’m glad we were able to keep our composure once again and persevere like we did the other day against South Sudan. It was a good win for us,” James said, beating the defending FIBA World Cup champions.
The Americans completed a sweep of the USA Basketball Showcase, with five games on three continents, by beating four of the top seven teams in the FIBA world rankings. The U.S. is 39-3 in pre-Olympic play in the Dream Team era (since 1992).
“He keeps leveling up,” said U.S. star Stephen Curry, who had 13 points. “It’s so impressive and inspiring to see what he’s doing. The final five minutes with this team will determine who can make enough plays. LeBron did this the entire fourth quarter he was out there. Then we must help him on the defensive end. It was incredible to watch. “He is clearly who he is for a reason.”
The next stop is Lille, France, which will host the Olympic basketball games. The four-time Olympic gold medalist United States begins Group C play against fourth-ranked Serbia on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. E.T. then faces 33rd-ranked South Sudan on July 31 at 3 p.m. and concludes round-robin play against 16th-ranked Puerto Rico on September 3 at 11:15 a.m.
“I think we can get a lot better,” stated United States coach Steve Kerr. “We’re getting to a point where we’re comfortable with rotations, and I believe men are getting to know each other. However, there are many things that we can do better. I didn’t think our passing went well tonight. They applied much defensive pressure on us, and we turned the ball over a few times. I believe we can tighten up our game and improve.”
Joel Embiid had 15 points and five assists, Anthony Edwards 11 points, Jrue Holiday 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Anthony Davis 10 points and seven rebounds for the United States. The Americans shot 48.3% (34-of-69), while Germany shot 35.8% (29-of-81), with 28.9% (13-of-45) from three. Franz Wagner led Germany with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Andreas Obst added 17, including five three-pointers.
“Every season, it takes me a couple of games to get going, so this was no exception,” Embiid said of criticism of his performance thus far. “That’s why we have preseason games. I felt like myself. As we progress, I’ll be playing at my MVP level.”
Monday’s win not only avenged a 113-111 loss in the World Cup semifinals but also completed a two-game bookend sweep of last summer’s losses after beginning the USA Basketball Showcase with an 86-72 victory against seventh-ranked Canada, which deprived the U.S. a medal in that same world cup with a 127-118 overtime decision.
While the play has improved in exhibition play, the most pressing question for the Americans at this point is the health of three-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant, the men’s career leading scorer in U.S. Olympic history, who has missed all five USA Basketball Showcase games due to a strained calf. Kerr said Durant is day-to-day and hopes to play in the Olympic opening.
The United States started strong in the first quarter. Holiday scored back-to-back 3-pointers during an eight-point quarter that propelled the United States on a 21-4 run punctuated by two crucial blocks by the second-unit duo of Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo. After the first ten minutes, the scoreboard read 29-19. The Americans shot 58.8% (10-of-17) against Germany’s 30.4% (7-of-23), with Embiid recording a team-high three assists.
Germany rallied and closed to 42-39 on a Franz Wagner 3-pointer
The United States regained control with a 6-0 run and another memorable moment. Embiid blocked Isaac Bonga on the glass, resulting in an Anthony Edwards slam to make it 48-39. Embiid performed the Dikembe Mutombo finger wave while lying on the baseline. The United States led 48-41 at halftime.
In the third quarter, there was plenty of back-and-forth between the two basketball powers, with Wagner hitting a 3-pointer and two free throws to put Germany up 71-66 and 71-68 going into the final 10 minutes.
There were several standout plays. Following a block by Devin Booker, Embiid sent a long ball to Curry, who delivered to a running Booker with his back to the basket at the top of the 3-point line. Booker then attempted an off-balance left-handed shot that went out of bounds and was fouled. With 6:07 remaining, Booker completed his only three-point play of the game, giving the United States a 78-75 lead.
Looking Ahead.
With the exhibition games completed, Team USA will focus on fine-tuning its strategy and maintaining its high level of play as it prepares for the Olympic stage. The team’s unbeaten exhibition record demonstrates its synergy, depth, and willingness to compete with the world’s best.
In conclusion, Team USA’s 5-0 exhibition record, highlighted by a victory against Germany, lays the groundwork for a successful Olympic campaign in Paris. With balanced scoring, defensive changes, and clutch performances, the squad has demonstrated that it is prepared for the challenges ahead. As they prepare for the Olympic event, the confidence and momentum generated from these exhibition games will be critical in their pursuit of gold.
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