Team USA Defeats Australia In Front of 51,000 fans, 102-86

The USA basketball team has defeated Australia in front of more than 51,000 spectators. Gregg Popovich’s boys were better than the Aussies 102-86, in an exhibition match which was a test for both sides before the start of the FIBA World Cup in China.

An impressive picture was sent all over the world from the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. The venue which is used for soccer or rugby matches was adapted for this spectacle. According to sources form the Australian news, this was the most visited basketball match in the history of this country.

The Boomers were playing solid, but the bigger depth of the Americans was the decisive factor in this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1wVCsxFnk

After being up just one point at the halftime, and allowing the hosts to even have the lead at the start of the third period, Team USA had a furious sequence in which they scored 13 unanswered points and went to 57-45. Harrison Barnes, Myles Turner, and Donovan Mitchell splashed three straight threes and beat the morale of the Aussies.

After that, the home team just couldn’t come back.

“The way we bounced back in the second half shows the character of this team,” Mitchell said. “But once we settled down and started playing our basketball, we were in good shape.”

From that moment on, Kemba Walker took over the wheel, and the new Boston Celtics point guard dominated in the latter two parts of the game. He ended the contest with 23 points, from which 21 were delivered in the second half.

“I’m one of the leaders of this team, so it’s important for me to set that tone,” the Celtics guard said who also had 6 boards.

Myles Turner had a double-double with 15 points and 14 boards, while Mitchell added 13 buckets. Kyle Kuzma had 12, and was shooting for three 4 of 5.

https://twitter.com/LakersWorld_16/status/1164528747921453056

On the other side, the best player was Gregg Popovich’s Patty Mills who had 19 points, same as Chris Goulding who scored 4 threes. Other Boomers’ NBA players didn’t have such a shiny night. Matthew Dellavedova had 10 points and 6 assists, while Aaron Baynes had 8 buckets and 7 boards.

It seems that the atmosphere at Marvel Stadium had a more significant impression on the home team players than the fact that they played against the United States.

“Everyone came out tonight,” Mills said. “Fans being able to show their full support, it’s really cool, really good to see and hopefully we keep this up for years to come.”

This is the second victory for the American team under the leadership of Gregg Popovich. The last defeat Team USA experienced was 13 years ago, when they lost to Greece in the semifinals of the World Cup. Ever since the USA recorded 78 consecutive victories, winning three Olympic gold medals, two FIBA World Cups and one FIBA Americas tournament.

Marvel Stadium Melbourne looking amazing for Boomers v USA! pic.twitter.com/RWuppzK7jm

— Dwayne Russell (@_DwayneRussell) August 22, 2019

The upcoming WC in China is going to be a serious test for Gregg Popovich and his crew because many big names decided to withdraw from the national team. Anthony Davis, James Harden, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and many others backed out before the start of the training camp, leaving Popovich in an awkward situation.

Many teams are coming to China intending to dethrone the United States. Greece is boosted with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA MVP, Canada is led by the NBA champion, Nick Nurse. Serbia took over the No.1 at the FIBA world rankings this Monday, surpassing the US team who is now second. The Serbs have Nikola Jokic the All-NBA First team member.

Before traveling to China, Australia and the United States will play another match, in the same city on Saturday.