USA Basketball Wins Close One Against Australia in Pre-Olympic Tune-Up

The United States Men's Basketball team (Team USA) survived a scare from a determined Australian squad on Monday in Abu Dhabi, edging out the Boomers 98-92 in a pre-Olympic exhibition game. The victory, while securing a win for Team USA, highlighted areas for improvement as they prepare to defend their gold medal in Paris.T HEE

Australia, led by a strong performance from Jock Landale (20 points, 7 rebounds), kept the game close throughout. After a strong first half by Team USA, the Boomers clawed their way back in the second, exploiting American turnovers and attacking the paint effectively. Patty Mills, a veteran Australian guard, kept his team in the game with a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, but ultimately struggled with his shot, finishing with only 5 points.

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Team USA's depth proved to be a key factor in the win. Coach Steve Kerr shuffled his lineup throughout the game, utilizing a "second unit" of All-Star caliber players like Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis (17 points, 7 rebounds), and Devin Booker. This group sparked a crucial 20-4 run in the first quarter, turning a tied game into a dominant lead. Kerr acknowledged the team's strength lies in its depth, highlighting the difficulty opponents face when facing a team with such a vast pool of talent.

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Despite the win, Team USA's performance wasn't flawless. They committed a concerning number of turnovers (18) for the second consecutive exhibition game. Coach Kerr addressed this after the game, stating it's a "good lesson" to learn now rather than later. They also struggled offensively at times, particularly in the stagnant second half.

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Australia, the reigning Olympic bronze medalists, displayed their fighting spirit throughout the game. Coach Brian Goorjian emphasized the team's improvement as the game progressed, crediting their defensive adjustments for bringing them back into contention. They were particularly successful in controlling the tempo of the game in the second half.

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This close encounter serves as a valuable test for both teams as they approach the Olympics. Team USA will have a chance to further iron out their wrinkles in upcoming exhibition games against Serbia and others before heading to Paris. Australia, meanwhile, will face Serbia before their Olympic opener against Spain. Both teams will undoubtedly be looking to build upon their performances in Abu Dhabi as they chase Olympic glory.