Despite practice win over Aussies, flaws remain for Team USA

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Despite the popularity of the 3-pointer, the competitiveness of international basketball often comes down to the trenches. And in recent competitions, Team USA has lost that battle too often.

Solving that problem was paramount in assembling Team USA, which will attempt to win a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal next month in Paris. Early in the process, there are still advances and challenges on that front.

Team USA defeated Australia 98-92 in an exhibition Monday in Abu Dhabi before a record crowd of 12,217 fans at Etihad Arena. It was the second straight victory over a medal contender for the U.S., but there were a few things to watch from the Aussies, always a good test ahead of big events.

Perhaps most importantly, Anthony Davis showed why he is such a key player to the American effort. His presence on the inside made the difference in the outcome, as he had 17 points and 14 rebounds in just 18 minutes while playing strong defense on the inside.

But the Australians, who beat the U.S. in both 2019 and 2021 in exhibition games at times that exposed those teams’ weaknesses, attacked the Americans in the middle and discovered the softness that remains a key focus for this program.

With aggressive drives, inside passes and misdirections, the Aussies put up an astonishing 68 points in the paint. That’s a worrying number in a 48-minute NBA game, but in a 40-minute FIBA-style game it’s a flashing red light.

They got within five with five minutes left and twice cut it to four in the final minute. Team USA held them off, thanks to two clutch 3-pointers by Tyrese Haliburton and four free throws by Devin Booker.

The U.S. looked better overall on offense than it did in its win over Canada last week in Las Vegas. They made 12 3-pointers and generally improved their ball movement and organization. But they still gave the ball away 18 times, well above an acceptable rate.

Booker had 15 points and Anthony Edwards 14, leading Team USA’s offense.

Australia was led by Jock Landale with a 20-point lead, most of which came from baskets in the paint.