With Win Over Greece, USA Stay Undefeated In USA Basketball Showcase

18 August 2023

USA 108, GRE 86

With a 108-86 win over Greece, the United States are now 4-0 through USA Basketball Showcase games. The U.S. played at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, marking the first game a USA senior national team has played in the United Arab Emirates.

The USA Basketball Showcase has spanned three continents (USA, ESP, UAE) and seen the USA Men’s National Team take on some of the top teams in the world as it prepares for the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup.

The U.S. will play its final exhibition on Sunday against Germany. The USA’s games are a part of International Basketball Week which also includes games featuring the national teams from Lebanon, Egypt and Mexico as they prepare for the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup.

View the USA-Greece box score here.

TEAM NOTES

Historically Speaking: The USA now owns a 18-2 record against Greece.

The last time the senior national team faced Greece in any FIBA competition was at the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup round of 16. The USA won that game, 95-81.

Five Greek players in tonight’s game were on Greece’s 2019 World Cup roster: Giannoulis Larentzakis, Giorgos Papagiannis, Kostas Papanikolaou, Ioannis Papapetrou and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

Steady Starting: The USA employed the same starting lineup as the previous three exhibitions, sending Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. out for tip.

Running It Up: The USA grabbed a wire-to-wire win on the backs of strong first and third quarters.

The team pulled ahead early, grabbing a 20-7 lead in the first 5:30 of the game. The U.S. took its largest lead of the first half (18) by the 8:19 mark of the second quarter before Greece went on a 12-0 run to bring the game back within six points (37-31). The U.S. quickly countered and ended with a 52-41 lead.

The third quarter saw the Americans go on a 11-2 run to take their first 20-point lead of the game (71-51). The team carried that momentum the rest of the way to capture the 22-point win.

Inside Abu Dhabi: The Americans had 52 points in the paint and limited Greece to 26, the lowest scoring total by a U.S. opponent from inside the paint so far through exhibitions.

Shot Chart: The team shot 57.4% (39-68 FG) from the field and 42.3% (11-26 3FG) from beyond the arc. They held Greece to 40.0% (28-70 FG) from the field and 32.1% (9-28 3FG) from 3. The U.S. shot 53.8% (7-13 FG) from deep in the second half. The team is shooting 56.8% from the field through four USA Basketball Showcase games.

PLAYER NOTES

Ant Man: Edwards finished with 21 points (8-16 FG, 3-7 3FG), four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Tonight was his highest scoring game through exhibition play.

He scored 12 points in the third frame, marking the second time he’s produced 10+ points to open the second half of a USA Basketball Showcase game (11 vs. PUR, 8/7/23).

Ripping the Nets: Austin Reaves finished with 11 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3FG, 3-3 FT) while the two Brooklyn Nets, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges, also shot the ball efficiently. Johnson scored 13 points (5-10 FG, 3-7 3FG) while Bridges added 10 (3-5 FG, 1-2 3FG, 3-3 FT). The American wings are the only players on the team shooting 60.0% or better from the field and 40% from 3-point range:

Johnson: 60.0% (18-30 FG) & 45.0% (9-20 3FG)
Bridges: 66.7% (18-27 FG) & 44.4% (4-9 3FG)
Reaves: 62.5% (15-24 FG) & 50.0% (6-12 3FG)

The Jackson 10: Jackson Jr. tallied 11 points (3-3 FG, 5-7 FT), three rebounds, one steal and one block. He has recorded 10+ points in three of four exhibitions so far.

Hart and Soul: The United States were led on the boards by Josh Hart (9) and Bobby Portis (7). Hart also contributed four assists and two steals, while Portis finished with 10 points, one assist and one steal.