Team USA Edges Brazil
Posted on August 8th, 2006 by
Looks like Team USA had its first challenge earlier today against Brazil, barely scraping out a 90-86 win.
Team USA found the going much tougher against Brazil on Tuesday than it did a day earlier against China.
LeBron James, Elton Brand and Joe Johnson came up with huge plays in the final minute as the United States basketball team edged Brazil, 90-86, in a warmup for the World Championships in Japan later this month.
The exhibition victory did not come without a price, however, as Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony hyperextended his right knee chasing a loose ball in the second quarter. Anthony, whose 16 points led the U.S., did not return.
“I think he’s fine,” Team USA assistant coach Mike D’Antoni of the Phoenix Suns said. “A couple days’ rest and he should be OK.”
On Monday, Team USA rolled past China, 119-73, and it appeared it was on its way to an impressive victory in this one after opening a 52-38 lead at the break. But Brazil scored the first 16 points of the second half and hung tough thereafter.
The U.S. held just an 87-86 lead before James, the superstar swingman of the Cleveland Cavaliers, drove the left baseline and banked in a shot with 34 seconds left.
“I saw the big man close out on me strong, and I wanted to just try to be aggressive and not to settle for the jump shot, and I was able to get around him,” James said. “One of their guards stepped up and I tried to slide around him and make a tough shot.”
Brand, the All-Star forward of the Los Angeles Clippers, blocked a shot on the other end. Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 20 seconds to go but missed both free throws, giving Brazil a chance to tie.
However, Johnson, a guard for the Atlanta Hawks, stole the ball from Marcelo Machado and was fouled with 3.4 seconds left, then split two free throws to ice the contest. #
