The Superiority Of The United States Basketball National Team In Preparation For The 2024 Olympics
JAKARTA - The United States Men's Basketball National Team showed careful preparation before entering the 2024 Paris Olympics.
LeBron James and his friends silenced the 2023 FIBA World Cup champion, Germany, in a trial match with a score of 92-88 at the O2 Arena, London, Monday, July 22, 2024.
The United States Basketball national team started with the starting five Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid.
Kevin Durant had to miss this match due to a calf injury. However, there is still optimism that he will return to the lineup at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Since the tip-off, the cohesiveness of the United States has increased dramatically compared to appearances in previous trials.
In the first quarter, they scored a successful shot percentage of 58.8 percent. In addition, their defense is also impressive. The United States was able to withstand 30.4 percent of Germany's shot, including an important block from Anthony Davis.
Germany was able to rise when US attacks slowed in the second quarter. However, that situation can still be overcome. They can still maintain the advantage.
The reason is, the United States responded with attacks at the end of the second quarter. Their defense is also getting stronger after being loose.
The United States' offensive inconsistencies have just appeared again in the third quarter. Germany managed to get closer and made it difficult for opponents to penetrate the defense.
The two teams exchanged shots throughout the quarter, including a three-point shot from Obst and Wagner which helped Germany maintain momentum.
In fact, the 2023 FIBA World Cup champion took the lead with three points when entering the fourth quarter.
Luckily, the United States bounced back in the last quarter. Curry and Booker's action gave them a three-point advantage.
LeBron James became an important actor in the fourth quarter. He scored two important shots that put the United States ahead.
Their advantage lasted thanks to the solid defense of the team. Germany was only able to score one point in the remaining time.
The victory of the United States became even more steady after James added the score through a free throw and another lay-up.
This is the fifth United States victory in a trial preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The United States is now eyeing the fifth consecutive men's basketball gold medal at the Olympics.
They will start their journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics against FIBA World Cup 2023 runners-up Serbia, which is inhabited by another NBA bintan, Nikola Jokic, on July 28, 2024.