USA Men’s National Team Beats Australia, 98-92, in USA Basketball Showcase

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Center Anthony Davis goes for the dunk over Australian Center Will Magnay. Image Credit: Instagram/@usabasketball

The 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team passed its second test of the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase with a 98-92 victory over Australia on Monday in Abu Dhabi.

The U.S. Men’s National Team now hold a 36-3 record in exhibition games leading into Olympic competition.

It’s Crowded: The USA has drawn a pair of record crowds in their first two 2024 USA Basketball Showcase games. The United States hosted 12,217 fans tonight, marking the largest group to watch a game in Abu Dhabi/Etihad Arena. The attendance of the USA-Canada contest on July 10 in Las Vegas was 20,757, which also hit a venue basketball record for T-Mobile Arena.

Against the Aussies: The USA moves to 18-0 all-time against the Australians. The U.S. Men’s National Team now hold a 36-3 record in exhibition games leading into Olympic competition.

Starting Out: After coming off the bench vs. Canada, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum got the nod to start alongside Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid and LeBron James. Edwards had a perfect first quarter, recording 11 points and going 4-of-4 from the field while hitting all 3 of his attempts from 3-point. He added 2 rebounds in 5:31 in the period.

The Run Around: The Americans led 24-21 with 2:07 to play in the first quarter before closing the period on an 8-0 run to take a 32-21 advantage into the first quarter break. By halftime, the red, white and blue had extended their lead by another 5 points (53-37).

Positively Defensive: The USA limited the Australians to just 22.2% (4-for-18) shooting from behind the arc, following a similar defensive performance against the Canadians in their win last week in Las Vegas (7-for-33, 21.2%).

Line it Up: The USA made a double-digit impact at the free throw line, scoring 20 points on 24 free throws (83.3%).

Times 10: Six players scored in double figures in the USA’s 98-point offensive outburst. Anthony Davis led the way with 17 points, followed by Devin Booker (16), Edwards (14), Bam Adebayo (10), Embiid (10) and James (10).

Double-Davis: After recording 10 points and 11 rebounds vs. Canada (7/10/24), Davis added a second consecutive double-double tonight. He totaled 17 points and 14 rebounds in 18 minutes.

NEXT GAME: USA Basketball Showcase Abu Dhabi | USA vs. SRB | July 17 at 12 p.m. ET FS1

Source: USA Basketball Communications