A couple of days ago, Anthony Edwards told reporters that "he’s still the No. 1 option" in the talent-laiden Team USA squad for Paris 2024.
He might be right after all.
Despite a rocky start, Edwards and the new-look Team USA banked on their imposing size to put away Canada, 86-72, to kick off their pre-Olympics exhibition tour on July 11, Thursday (PH time).
That’s a 🇺🇸 #USABMNT win, eh? pic.twitter.com/gbxq3pVef4
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
Edwards led the Americans with a team-high 13 points off the bench, including this buzzer-beating triple to end the third for a 69-54 lead.
🗣 ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/H58gfg38bG
Curry poured 12 points on 3/7 shooting from deep and three dimes, including this soaring alley-oop connection to his rival-turned-teammate LeBron James to give the Americans a 56-45 lead midway through the third.
Absolute cinema.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/HUAgZ85jwb
The two-time league MVP also heated up in the early going of the second half, igniting a personal 6-0 run for a 50-37 Team USA advantage over Canada.
Someone cooked here.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/OGRlurUH9F
Common Steph Triple.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/ZcvpCSGhd4
Team USA, who boasts an intimidating frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid, dominated the boards with a 53-44 advantage. Theyalso played stifling defense all-game long with 10 steals and nine blocks as a team.
With a star-studded team, they managed to move the ball, recording 25 assists on 37 field goals made.
Davis posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds, on top of four blocks and two steals, while Embiid had five markers and six boards before fouling out.
JT to AD. 🤝
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/y9yan8EA9u
The Americans surged in the second frame after trailing by as early 10 points in the first quarter and committing eight turnovers. They launched a 14-2 run to start things off before back-to-back Devin Booker buckets built a 28-23 lead.
Team USA outscored Canada, 27-12, in the second quarter for a 41-33 halftime lead and went on a 9-0 blitz to close out the third holding a 69-54 lead.
James, the oldest player on the team, finished with seven points, five rebounds, and five assists, and three steals. Tatum added nine, Bam Adebayo put up six points and seven boards and Tyrese Haliburton had four rebounds, six dimes and four steals.
Meanwhile, R.J Barrett led the way for Canada with 12 points while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks added 10 markers apiece.
The Canadians started strong and led by double-digits early at 11-1.
RJ Barrett from downtown gives @CanBball a 10-point lead in Q1! 👏 pic.twitter.com/B9vT6kNBfh
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 11, 2024
Brooks, who has developed a villain role while on Team Canada, was on fire early after this and-one play on Embiid early in the second frame.
Dillon Brooks wants all the smoke and drops the and-one! 😤 pic.twitter.com/gnv723h7CJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 11, 2024
But the 2023 FIBA World Cup bronze medalists were overwhelmingly pounded inside, struggling to find their rhythm after a fast start for a lowly 33% shooting overall.
A torrid 7/33 shooting from deep proved costly in their first meeting since the FIBA World Cup in a competitive play. Canada is drawn in Group A with Australia, Greece, and Spain. Meanwhile, USA is in Group C with Serbia, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico.
Team USA will fly to Abu Dhabi tomorrow for games against Australia and Serbia next week.
