In a thrilling exhibition game at the O2 Arena in London, Team USA edged out South Sudan with a narrow 101-100 victory, determined by a dramatic last-moment play. The game was closely contested, with significant contributions from both sides, offering a taste of high-caliber international basketball.
LeBron's Late-Game Heroics
LeBron James, the seasoned superstar, once again proved his prowess with a game-winning layup just eight seconds before the buzzer. James delivered an outstanding performance, leading Team USA with 23 points on an efficient 9-for-13 shooting, in addition to six rebounds and seven assists, all in just 23 minutes of play.
Team USA began the game with a strong 12-2 run, setting an early tone. However, South Sudan demonstrated resilience and took a commanding 14-point lead at halftime. The game took multiple twists and turns, especially in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, where South Sudan managed to wrestle a one-point lead.
Decisive Plays in Crucial Moments
Anthony Edwards played a crucial role in the dying moments by stripping the ball from Wenyen Gabriel, preventing what could have been a game-changing play for South Sudan. Gabriel subsequently missed a potential game-winning putback after Carlik Jones' floater also failed to find the basket in the closing seconds.
Jones, however, had an impressive individual performance, recording a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. Marial Shayok contributed significantly with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including a remarkable 6-for-12 from beyond the arc.
Shooting Struggles and Turnover Battle
Despite the win, Team USA's shooting from downtown was less than stellar, making only 7 out of their 28 three-point attempts. In contrast, South Sudan fared better from the three-point line, converting 14 of their 33 attempts (42.4%). Nevertheless, Team USA managed to win the turnover battle 15-12, which played a crucial part in their narrow victory.
Mixed Contributions and Strategic Decisions
Steve Kerr, coaching the national team, opted to put his second unit on the floor in the third quarter, a decision that added an interesting dynamic to the game. White, featuring for the first time with the national team, dished out five assists within an 11-minute span. This positive start raises curiosity about potential lineup combinations going forward, as previously observed, "I'd be curious to see what lineups with both Haliburton and White look like, but it's unclear if Kerr will even experiment with them."
Joel Embiid also made a valuable contribution, adding 14 points on an efficient 5-for-6 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists in his 18 minutes on the court. The amalgamation of performances from veterans and fresh faces underscored the depth and versatility of Team USA.
Defensive Prowess Leading to Offensive Success
As is often the case with Team USA, their best moments came when their staunch defense transitioned seamlessly to offense. Noted observers highlighted this aspect by stating, "Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense." The defensive pressure applied by Team USA frequently disrupted South Sudan’s rhythm, leading to fast-break opportunities and high-percentage shots.
Team USA will now turn their attention to Germany, whom they are set to meet in another exhibition game in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET. This encounter will offer yet another opportunity for Kerr and his squad to fine-tune their strategies and build on their momentum from this hard-fought win over South Sudan.
The drama and intensity of this exhibition game at the O2 Arena certainly provided a thrilling spectacle. As both teams move forward, they will draw on the lessons and experiences from this closely-fought contest, setting the stage for more electrifying basketball to come.