Team USA beats Team Canada in USA Basketball Showcase 86-72

The USA Men’s National
Basketball Team defeated Team Canada, 86-72, in the USA Basketball
Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada to start their journey to the Paris
Olympics on a good note. 

Team USA overcame a sluggish
start in the first quarter to dominate Team Canada. The Americans
opened the game 0-8 from the field but finished strong, shooting
50% overall. They also won every major statistic on the board,
including rebounds (53-48), assists (25-18), steals (11-5), and
blocks (9-1).

Anthony Edwards led Team USA in
scoring with 13 points on 6-10 shooting off the bench while Stephen
Curry and Jrue Holiday chipped in with 12 and 11 respectively.
Anthony Davis was perhaps the player of the game who was physical
and aggressive against the much smaller Canadian frontline. Davis
finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while
blocking 4 shots just by himself, more than the entire output of
Team Canada.

Team Canada led early in the
first quarter courtesy of baskets from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and
RJ Barrett. The Canadians used their length and speed on the guard
and wing spots, forcing Team USA to 8 turnovers in the first half.
However, Team USA got into their groove in the second half behind a
Vegas strong crowd to go on to the victory.

Team USA’s victory is the first
of their 5 upcoming USA Basketball Showcase exhibition games. This
is in preparation of their upcoming Olympic run in Paris, which
starts on July 26. Team USA is in Group C alongside Serbia, Puerto
Rico, and South Sudan.

Team USA will now fly to Abu
Dhabi to continue their preparation for the Paris Olympics. The USA
Basketball Showcase goes to the Middle East when Team USA faces
Australia and Serbia in Abu Dhabi then onto London against South
Sudan and Germany.