Team USA secured a hard-fought victory over Germany in their second pre-Olympic friendly
at The O2 Arena, 92-86.
This match marked their first encounter since Germany’s thrilling 113-111 win in the 2023 FIBA Mens World Cup semi-final—a result that shocked many American fans but not the broader international basketball community.
Coach Steve Kerr retained the same starting lineup that narrowly triumphed over South
Sudan on Saturday: Devin Booker, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jrue Holiday, and Stephen
Curry.
(Photo credit: USA basketball)
Germany, fielding a solid roster, featured NBA veterans Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis,
Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner, and Euroleague standouts Johannes Voigtmann and Andreas Obst.
Germany came out strong, applying early pressure and taking an 11-6 lead with contributions from Obst, Theis, and a three-pointer from Schröder. However, Team USA responded with an 8-2 run, reclaiming the lead at 14-13 and forcing Germany into their first timeout of the game.
Team USA adapted to Germany’s physical style of play as the game progressed, demonstrating their ability to dominate both offensive and defensive boards. The Americans forwards excelled in securing offensive rebounds, while their guards were instrumental in grabbing crucial defensive boards. This physical dominance enabled Team USA to force Germany into two pivotal turnovers in the latter stages of the first quarter.
(Photo credit: USA basketball)
Germany initially applied pressure, taking an early lead. However, Team USA responded with a decisive 19-4 run to close the first quarter, leading 29-19. This period was highlighted by a spectacular block from Nigerian-American Bam Adebayo on Senegalese-German Maodo Lo with just 23 seconds remaining in the quarter.
In the second quarter, the German nationals attempted to fight their way back into the
game, but the Americans repeatedly kept them at bay. Moritz Wagner, the elder of the Wagner brothers, cut the USA lead to eight points early with a powerful dunk. However, after a short series of missed opportunities from both teams, NBA champion Jayson Tatum extended the USA’s advantage back to ten points (31-21).
Maodo Lo answered with a three-pointer, and Moritz Wagner followed with a two-point
shot (31-26). Despite their efforts, another costly turnover by Lo and a steal by Anthony Edwards allowed Team USA to add two more points to the Points off Turnovers tally (33-26).
Germany’s persistence was evident, but Team USA managed to maintain their leads and separation from their on-court rivals (36-27, 36-29, 38-32).
Germany initially struggled against Team USA high-pressure defence but managed to stay competitive with its deliberate half-court offence. To stem the tide, Germany fielded a more defensive lineup featuring Issac Bonga, Moritz Wagner, Maodo Lo, Nick Weiler-Babb, and Johannes Thiemann. While this lineup helped contain the American offence, it struggled to generate points.
Team USA’s lead fluctuated between six to eight points during this period. Andreas Obst three-pointer cut the USA lead to five, giving Germany a brief glimmer of hope. However, two free throws from Joel Embiid sparked a 6-0 run, allowing the Americans to end the second quarter with a 48-37 advantage.
(Photo credit: USA basketball)
Germany started the third quarter determined to close the gap. Stephen Curry opened the quarter with a layup, only for Franz Wagner to respond with a three-pointer (50-42). Johannes Voigtmann followed with a three-pointer, reducing the deficit to five points (50-45).
Germany continued to press, with NBA veterans Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis hitting back-to-back three-pointers to narrow the gap to one point (52-51). LeBron James answered with a turnaround fadeaway, but Andreas Obst’s driving finger roll layup kept Germany within striking distance (54-53).
Team USA responded with an 8-2 run, extending their lead to 62-55, giving their stars some breathing room. However, Germany countered with a Theis dunk followed by a Tatum turnover, sparking an 8-2 run that helped Germany seize a slender one-point lead (67-66). Clutch free throws and a Nick Weiler-Babb steal leading to an Anthony Edwards turnover allowed Germany to end the period with a 69-68 lead.
The quarter commenced with several key substitutions, as Team USA brought in Stephen
Curry and Anthony Davis, while Germany introduced Issac Bonga. The period began with a
missed three-pointer from Dennis Schröder, followed by a defensive rebound from Bam
Adebayo. Despite a missed fadeaway three from Curry, Davis secured an offensive rebound
and converted a layup while drawing a foul, putting the USA ahead 71-69 after a successful free throw.
Germany struggled to regain momentum, with missed shots from Johannes Thiemann and
Nick Weiler-Babb. Team USA capitalised on these errors, but turnovers from both sides kept the game tense. A critical moment occurred at 7:33, when LeBron James and Joel Embiid were subbed in, providing the USA with a much-needed boost.
Following a turnover from James, Germany momentarily reclaimed the lead with a putback
dunk by Moritz Wagner. However, Jrue Holiday pull-up jumper quickly tied the game again. Curry’s driving layup, coupled with a drawn foul, extended USA lead to 75-73, though he missed the subsequent free throw.
Devin Booker extended the lead with a fadeaway jumper, pushing the score to 77-73. Despite Germany Andreas Obst hitting a three-pointer to close the gap to 78-76, Joel Embiid responded with a turnaround jumper, assisted by LeBron James, making it 80-76.
(Photo credit: USA basketball)
Germany's persistent efforts, highlighted by Franz Wagner’s driving floater, brought the score to 80-78. However, LeBron James showcased his leadership and skill in the closing minutes. He executed a crucial dunk, a driving layup, and a pair of free throws, further solidifying USA's lead at 87-80.
In the final moments, James hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to 90-84 and capped off the game with another driving layup, bringing the final score to 92-86. His defensive rebound and strategic playmaking, combined with solid contributions from Curry and Davis, sealed the victory.
During the post-game Press Conference, Jrue Holiday stated the following about Lebron
James’s fourth-quarter heroics:
“He’s just putting the team on his shoulders. Being Lebron
James, making big plays. Not just offensively but defensively.”
(Photo credit: USA basketball)
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