USA beats Australia 98-92 in exhibition match in Abu Dhabi

The eight-hour time difference in Abu Dhabi may have been a factor, but the U.S. team played a stronger game against Australia on Monday than many expected.

In the end, the United States beat Australia 98-92, but the Australian team, which included several NBA players, played brilliantly in the exhibition game at Etihad Stadium. Jock Landale scored 20 points with seven rebounds and six assists, while Josh Geddie had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Deason Daniels added 14 points.

Australia had a four-point lead with 30 seconds left, but Devin Booker sealed the game with a layup and two free throws at the end. Tyrese Haliburton also hit two crucial three-pointers to keep Australia from closing the gap to two or tying the score.

That saved a relatively sluggish offensive performance from Team USA, which seemed content to rely on the talents of its star players rather than execute plays throughout the game. However, Australia has been a tough opponent for the Americans before, winning exhibition games in 2019 and 2021. Landale had success inside, while Australia’s guards scored frequently on their attempts to the basket.

Anthony Davis led Team USA with 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in a dominant performance inside the box. Until the end, Anthony Edwards looked like he could lead the Americans and establish himself as the No. 1 option. He scored 14 points and made 3-of-5 three-pointers. As a team, Team USA made 41 percent of its three-pointers.

In the end, Booker finished ahead of Edwards with his late baskets, scoring 16 points. LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Bam Adebayo each scored 10 points. Jayson Tatum led the U.S. team with five assists. However, 18 fouls showed that these players are still learning how to play with each other, leading to mistakes that opponents can exploit.

Kevin Durant missed his second consecutive exhibition game, Off the pitch again with a leg injury.Coach Steve Kerr He told reporters on Saturday The plan is to watch Durant day-to-day and take advantage of the next two weeks before making a roster decision. The team has already lost Kawhi Leonard and replaced him with Derrick White.

The USA men’s basketball team’s next game is an exhibition match against Serbia and NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic — who will open the Olympics against them — on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. The game will kick off at 12 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FS1.