Exhibition Game 3: Team USA Leaves Abu Dhabi Undefeated
The United States men’s national team took care of business against the Serbian national team in Team USA’s third pre-Olympic exhibition game in Abu Dhabi on July 17.
In perhaps the United States’ first real test, given they had to go up against three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, the Americans ultimately defeated Team Serbia handily, 105-79.
Through the first quarter, the Serbians proved they were worthy opponents compared to the star-studded United States, as the score was tied after 10 minutes, 28-28. However, Team USA gradually got into its groove and created separation with each passing quarter.
Even with the eventual commanding victory, this matchup against Serbia will benefit Team USA, as both Group C squads will face each other again in the Olympic competition.
Here are some takeaways from Team USA’s third exhibition victory as they head into their matchup against South Sudan undefeated:
USA’s Depth Too Much For Stars Like Jokić
This was the case against Team Canada, and it was the case in this go-around against Team Serbia: At the end of the day, Team USA’s depth will overpower any team.
In the first quarter, Team Serbia wasn’t playing around, and it proved that if they played against them in the future, there would be no walk in the park for Team USA. When all was said and done, the Americans’ depth reigned superior.
Against Canada, MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was no match for Team USA, and the same happened with Jokić. Any NBA stars playing for countries other than the United States haven’t proven to hold enough supporting cast firepower on their rosters to overcome Team USA.
Whenever Team USA starters LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Jrue Holiday were on the bench, another cluster of superstars entered the mix off the bench to counter any attack their opponent may have. Jokić finished 16 with points of his own, but four players for Team USA finished in double-figures, with two players almost there with eight points apiece.
Even at center, Serbia may have an NBA champion and superstar in Jokić, but Team USA’s depth at that position, particularly with Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo, has proven to be a game changer on both ends of the floor.
When Stephen Curry Is On, International Competition Better Watch Out
What makes Team USA so impressive is that any player could put on a show scoring-wise on any given night. In game one against Team Canada, it was Anthony Edwards. In game two against Team Australia, it was Davis. In Team USA’s game against Team Serbia, it was Curry.
He scored Team USA’s first nine points and hit six 3-pointers throughout the contest, finishing with a team-high 24 points.
Through the first two exhibition games, no one player for the United States had overtaken the box score. Several players scored in double figures, and there was more sharing of wealth offensively. In this game, other players had their moments, but Curry’s performance ultimately defined Team USA’s win.
Curry’s play bodes well for him and Team USA in their remaining pre-Olympic exhibition games. In the first two games, not much was falling for him from the arc, so to have six jumpers from a distance fall his way will do a lot for his shooting stroke moving forward.
Edwards’ Consistency Key For Team USA
Through three exhibition matches, Edwards has remained the most consistent offensively on Team USA’s roster, and that’s with the rotation changes he’s been subject to.
In game one, Edwards led the United States with a team-high 13 points off the bench. In game two, Edwards remained a spark for Team USA when they moved to the starting lineup with Tatum, tallying 14 points. Against Serbia, Edwards came off the bench again and finished with 16 points and two 3-pointers.
Whether he’s started the game or come off the bench, Edwards has carved out a niche on a United States roster that is oozing with talent. If he continues to contribute in this way for Team USA, that will take some of the pressure off of Curry James and the rest of the starting lineup, giving the United States a real shot at a gold medal.
First Look At Derrick White
It took three games, but Team USA finally went 11-deep with its roster, and Derrick White got his first minutes of pre-Olympic exhibition play.
White did not play much in the contest. He played just under nine and a half minutes and finished with one point, one assist, and four rebounds. He saw the court for the first time in the second quarter when he came in with Team USA’s second unit in place of Tyrese Haliburton.
With little time on the floor, it was hard to draw any decisive conclusions regarding White’s role with Team USA moving forward, but he got his first glimpse of international play.
The United States will play South Sudan’s men’s national team in its fourth exhibition game on July 20 at 3 p.m. EST on Fox.
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