Admin July 22, 2024
Suns’ Devin Booker talks about adjusting to FIBA at Team USA event
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker speaks at a Team USA event. Booker is one of the many NBA stars on USA men’s basketball team.
In their final match before the Olympics, Team USA will look to bounce back against Germany after nearly being upset by South Sudan.
It took everything the United States had but somehow they were able to pull out a 101-100 victory over South Sudan – a nation whose best player is Marial Shayok, whose NBA career consisted of four games with the Philadelphia 76ers back in 2020 when he averaged 2.8 points per game. Shayok was the game’s highest-scorer (24). He had more points than LeBron James (23), Stephen Curry (12), and Anthony Davis (15). How does that happen?
On the bright side, this wake-up call could be exactly what the United States needed heading into the Olympics. That close win showed the team that they aren’t untouchable. Despite having by far the most talented roster in Paris, a few slip-ups here and there against other strong teams could get out of hand quickly and cost the United States another gold medal. Hopefully, that game will motivate Team USA to never take their foot off the gas. We’ll see whether or not they take that lesson to heart in their game against Germany.
Led by NBA talents Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder, Germany has much more firepower than South Sudan. Another similar performance from Team USA tonight would surely lead to defeat. This game will be a great precursor to understanding what we should expect from the United States when they start Olympic play on July 28.
Germany’s lead was short-lived, as the U.S. go on an 8-0 run in under a minute to take back a 62-55 lead after a 3-pointer by James.
Germany takes its first lead since early in the first quarter after the 3-pointer by Daniel Theiss. Germany has came out of the break really efficient offensively.
Germany starts the second half with a 9-2 run in under two minutes, cutting its deficit to 52-50. U.S. coach Steve Kerr takes a timeout early in the third quarter.
The U.S. leads Germany 48-41 at halftime, despite an at-times sloppy second quarter.
Anthony. Edwards. Embiid blocks a Germany attempt on the defensive end, which is picked up by Edwards who crosses a defender before throwing down a huge one-handed slam with authority. Edwards is just electric in the open court.
U.S. brings its lead back to 48-39 after the dunk.
Germany shortens its deficit to 42-39 after a couple nice plays by Wagner and a 3-pointer by Andreas Obst. Obst, who plays in the Bundesliga, can really shoot it.
Two of the NBA’s best players ever making plays for the U.S., as LeBron’s block leads to a 3-pointer by Curry on the other end. United States leads 36-27.
The United States have opened the second quarter cold, settling for low percentage, contested shots. Germany has shortened its deficit to 33-26 as the U.S. has scored only four points in the first four minutes of the period.
Starters coming back out for the States.
United States ends quarter on a 21-6 run choreographed by the second unit. The Americans’ defense was hard to stop once White, Adebayo and Davis entered together, taking a 29-19 lead into the second quarter.
Holiday still leads all scorers with eight points.
The United States’ second team of Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Bam Adebayo have yet to miss, going 3-for-3 on shot attempts to extend their lead to 23-15 late in the first quarter.
Both Edwards and Tatum have nailed a pair of nice turnaround jump shots, with Davis converting a strong and-one layup.
There have already been 11 3-point attempts by both teams so far, with United States shooting 2 for 4 and Germany shooting 3 for 7 from range. Jrue Holiday’s second 3-pointer puts the U.S. on top 14-13 halfway through the first quarter. Holiday has a game-high eight points.
Longtime NBA guard Dennis Schroder also has two 3-pointers for Germany, pulling up from way behind the arc for both of his made shots.
The U.S. and Germany are locked in early, with both teams trading shots. LeBron has already caught a pair of monstrous alley-oop dunks. Game tied at 6-6 in the first quarter.
- Date: Monday, July 22
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: The O2 Arena, London
- TV: Fox
- Streaming: Fox Sports app; fuboTV; YouTube TV
How to watch: Catch Team USA Basketball Showcase with a Fubo subscription
Group A:
- Australia
- Greece
- Canada
- Spain
Group B:
Group C:
- Serbia
- South Sudan
- Puerto Rico
- U.S.
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Derrick White, Boston Celtics
The 2024 Paris Olympics start on July 24 and run through August 11.
TV: Games broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, CNBC
Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com
The schedule is according to NBCOlympics.com and is subject to change.
Group Stage
- July 28: USA vs. Serbia at 11:15 a.m. ET on NBC
- July 31: USA vs. South Sudan at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network
- Aug. 3: USA vs. Puerto Rico at 11:15 a.m. ET on NBC
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Gold/Bronze Medal games
On the women’s side, action begins on July 29 with an exhibition taking place on July 23.
- July 23 – United States vs. Germany: 3 p.m. ET on FS1 (exhibition)
- July 29 – Women’s Group Phase, Group C: United States vs. Japan: 1 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
- August 1 – Women’s Group Phase, Group C: Belgium vs. United States: 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
- August 4 – Women’s Group Phase, Group C: Germany vs. United States: 11:15 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
- August 7 – Women’s Quarterfinals: Games start between 5 a.m. ET – 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
- August 9 – Women’s Semifinal: 11:30 p.m. ET or 3 p.m. on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
- August 11 – Women’s Bronze Medal Game: 5:30 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
- August 11 – Women’s Gold Medal Game: 9:30 a.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
The men’s Olympic basketball team has 19 medals, including 16 gold medals. The most recent coming in the 2020 Olympic Games.
The final game of Team USA’s pre-Olympic showcase will take place at O2 Arena in London.
- July 10: USA 86 – Canada 72
- July 15: USA 98 – Australia 92
- July 17: USA 105 – Serbia 79
- July 20: USA 101 – South Sudan 100
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, LeBron James is still dominant even as he approaches 40 years old. In Team USA’s most recent game against South Sudan, James led the team with 23 points and also hit the game-winning shot with just eight seconds to play.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers, Curry is the greatest shooter to ever walk the face of the planet. He is a two-time NBA MVP, four-time NBA champ, and was the face of the NBA’s most recent dynasty.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
A young star, Edwards grew immensely in popularity this past NBA season as his Timberwolves nearly climbed to the top of the Western Conference standings. Despite his young age, Edwards, 22, has established himself as a key cog in this U.S. Team. In their game against South Sudan, Edwards played 21 minutes, which was tied with Anthony Davis and Devin Booker for the third-most on the team.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Wagner played an immense role in the Orlando Magic’s rise into the Eastern Conference playoffs last year. He was undoubtedly Germany’s best scorer in the team’s most recent game against Japan, notching 27 points. The next closest total belonged to Andreas Obst and Dennis Schroder with 12 each.
Dennis Schroder, Brooklyn Nets
Schroder has been a very solid player wherever he’s gone. In the NBA, he’ll constantly give teams 10-15 points on solid shooting. Whether he’s coming off the bench, thrust into a starting role, or playing with the weight of a country behind him, Schroder remains constant.
Johannes Voigtmann, Olimpia Milano
Voigtmann isn’t the best scorer, but he’s very good at grabbing boards. Voigtmann grabbed eight rebounds and notched three assists (third on team) during Germany’s game against Japan. That’s not to say that Voigtmann can’t pop off for 10 or 15 points every now and again. In fact, during last season with Olimpia Milano, Voigtmann recorded double-digit points on ten separate occasions, including a season-high of 21 against Brescia on May 25.
- Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
- Andreas Obst, Bayern Munich
- Dennis Schroder, Brooklyn Nets
- Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic
- Maodo Lo, Olimpia Milano
- Johannes Voigtmann, Olimpia Milano
- Isaac Bonga, Bayern Munich
- Daniel Theis, New Orleans Pelicans
- Nick Weiler-Babb, Bayern Munich
- Niels Giffey, Bayern Munich
- Oscar Da Silva, Barcelona Básquet
- Johannes Theimann, Alba Berlin
Scores24: OVER 138.5
Scores 24 notes, “Team USA showed excellent offensive strategy, scoring 1003 points in the past 10 appearances. It is noteworthy that, on average, they scored 100.3 points per game during this stretch. This indicates a high level of preparation and the ability to dominate on the field.”
Fidel Rubio, Diario AS: USA 104 – Germany 84
Rubio believes the United States will bounce back in a big way after nearly falling to South Sudan. This would be the U.S.’s second-biggest win of the showcase and would give the team considerable momentum heading into Paris.
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