Team USA Survives Close Match Against Montenegro in FIBA World Cup
MANILA, Philippines — In a nail-biting second-round game of the FIBA World Cup, Team USA managed to narrowly escape an upset by Montenegro, winning 85-73. The Americans struggled with their shooting, ball movement, and rebounding, allowing their underdog opponent to put up a strong fight.
Anthony Edwards, the team’s leading scorer, came alive in the second half, scoring all 17 of his points during that time. Austin Reaves also made a significant contribution with a timely 3-pointer. Ultimately, their efforts were enough to secure the victory for Team USA.
Edwards admitted to a slow start in the first half, going 0-for-5 from the field. However, he regrouped during halftime and made a remarkable comeback in the third quarter. Edwards finished the game shooting 7-of-16 with three rebounds and four turnovers.
With Lithuania’s win over Greece on Friday, Team USA secured a spot in the quarterfinals. They are set to face Lithuania at 8:40 a.m. ET on Sunday.
The game against Montenegro remained fiercely contested until the final minutes. Reaves’ crucial 3-pointer with 2:48 left gave Team USA their largest lead of the game at 75-68. It proved to be a pivotal moment as Montenegro, led by NBA All-Star Nikola Vučević, fought to stay in the game with their dominating performance on the glass.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, and Edwards contributed to widening the margin of victory in the final minutes. Jackson, who battled foul trouble in the first half, scored 11 points but failed to secure a single rebound. Haliburton, with six assists off the bench, also played a crucial role.
Head coach Steve Kerr made the decision to keep Haliburton and Reaves on the court during the closing minutes instead of Jalen Brunson. Kerr praised their performance and stated that the lineup was one the team trusted and felt comfortable with.
However, the game highlighted some areas of concern for Team USA. Montenegro held a significant advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Americans 49-31. Vučević’s 18 points and 16 rebounds showcased his dominance. Montenegro’s size advantage proved troublesome for Team USA, resulting in foul trouble for Jackson early on.
Despite Montenegro’s efforts, their 22 turnovers prevented them from pulling off a historic upset. Kendrick Perry was the team’s only other player in double figures, scoring 14 points. The Americans finished with a dismal shooting percentage from beyond the arc, going 5-of-19, and struggled with free throw shooting.
The victory improves Team USA’s record to 4-0 in the tournament, ensuring they will finish with no worse than a 4-1 record through two rounds. Losing this game could have created tiebreaker chaos for the team. Moreover, qualification for the Olympics is at stake in the FIBA World Cup. Team USA needs to finish in the top two among all teams from the Americas to secure their spot.
The game served as a wake-up call for Team USA, highlighting areas they need to improve on, such as rebounding, shooting, and free throw performance. However, head coach Steve Kerr commended his players for their resilience and ability to fight through a tough match.
Team USA will now focus on preparing for their game against Lithuania, where they will look to secure another victory and continue their journey in the FIBA World Cup.
(Photo of Austin Reaves and Anthony Edwards: Stephen Gosling / NBAE via Getty Images)