The U.S. men’s basketball team narrowly avoided a surprising upset in a pre-Olympics exhibition game against South Sudan in London. The Americans managed to secure a 101-100 victory, thanks to a clutch play by LeBron James in the final seconds of the game. Despite being down by one point, James made a crucial drive to the basket to put Team USA back in the lead. Additionally, Anthony Davis’s defensive effort in altering Carlik Jones’ shot on the other end helped seal the win.
The game started off well for the United States, but South Sudan quickly turned the tide after a timeout, leading to a 14-point halftime advantage for the underdog team. This unexpected turn of events left the American squad slightly shaken, prompting them to adjust their strategy during the second half. Instead of relying heavily on 3-point shots that weren’t connecting, Team USA focused on working the ball inside to players like Davis and Joel Embiid, which ultimately helped them outscore South Sudan 57-42 in the second half.
Despite being heavily favored to win by as many as 45.5 points, Team USA faced several challenges throughout the game. Poor shooting from beyond the arc and being outrebounded by their opponents made the victory a hard-fought one. LeBron James led the American team with 23 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Anthony Davis contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds to the win.
On the South Sudan side, Carlik Jones put up an impressive performance with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The close call against South Sudan serves as a wake-up call for Team USA as they have one more exhibition game against Germany before heading to Paris for the Olympics.
Overall, the game against South Sudan highlighted the importance of not underestimating any opponent, regardless of the odds. The American team’s ability to adapt their game plan and secure the win in a challenging situation will undoubtedly serve them well as they strive for gold in the upcoming Olympic games.
