In its final match before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA was able to fend off Germany and finish its exhibition tour with a perfect 5-0 record.
It wasn't easy, as Germany held an 82-81 lead with under four minutes to go in the fourth quarter. However, the United States were able to overcome the deficit, in large part due to LeBron James, the United States' flagbearer and oldest player on the basketball roster.
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James scored the United States' last 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, finishing the game with a game-high 20 points en route to a 92-88 win. The 39-year-old, who's the oldest player in the NBA, also chipped in six rebounds and four assists with a steal and a block.
Five other U.S. players scored in double figures, as Joel Embiid scored 15 points, Stephen Curry added 13 and Anthony Davis and Anthony Edwards scored 11 and 10, respectively. Overall, the United States shot 34-69 (49.28%) from the field, compared to Germany's 29-81 shooting (35.8%).
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Germany was led by Franz Wagner, the young Orlando Magic star who scored 18 points with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Team USA's next game comes in the 2024 Paris Olympics in the group stage against Serbia at 11:15 a.m. ET on July 28.
The U.S. hangs on to beat Germany 92-88 in its last showcase game before headed to the 2024 Paris Olympics. United States goes 5-0 in its exhibition games.
On the next possession, James takes it himself and puts the final dagger into Germany's chance, hitting a layup to give the U.S. a 92-86 lead with under 45 seconds left in the game. James has a game-high 20 points.
Germany cuts its deficit to 87-86 before LeBron comes up big once again, hitting an open 3-point shot to give the U.S. a 90-86 lead with just over a minute to go.
James has been so good for the U.S. down the stretch in its last two games. James, who hit the game-winning shot against South Sudan on Saturday, has scored the United States' last six points to give it an 87-82 lead with under four minutes to go.
Wow, United States picking it up now, as Booker throws up a desperation shot while being fouled, which goes in. Booker then converts the and-one to give the U.S. a 78-75 lead in the fourth quarter. Curry assisted the play with a wild no-look behind-the-back pass on the play, too.
What a play by Curry, who fakes out multiple Germany defenders before getting the layup with the foul. Curry missed the free throw that would've given the U.S. the lead.
The Americans trail heading into the fourth quarter after Germany puts up 30 points in the third.
Germany retakes the lead on a 3-pointer by Obst, who gets fouled on the play but can't convert the free throw for four points. Germany leads 64-62 late in the third quarter after a few sloppy minutes by the U.S. This game doesn't feel like an exhibition, as Germany is playing with loads of energy after halftime.
Germany's lead was short-lived, as the U.S. go on an 8-0 run in under a minute to take back a 62-55 lead after a 3-pointer by James.
Germany takes its first lead since early in the first quarter after the 3-pointer by Daniel Theiss. Germany has came out of the break really efficient offensively.
Germany starts the second half with a 9-2 run in under two minutes, cutting its deficit to 52-50. U.S. coach Steve Kerr takes a timeout early in the third quarter.
The U.S. leads Germany 48-41 at halftime, despite an at-times sloppy second quarter.
Anthony. Edwards. Embiid blocks a Germany attempt on the defensive end, which is picked up by Edwards who crosses a defender before throwing down a huge one-handed slam with authority. Edwards is just electric in the open court.
U.S. brings its lead back to 48-39 after the dunk.
Germany shortens its deficit to 42-39 after a couple nice plays by Wagner and a 3-pointer by Andreas Obst. Obst, who plays in the Bundesliga, can really shoot it.
Two of the NBA's best players ever making plays for the U.S., as LeBron's block leads to a 3-pointer by Curry on the other end. United States leads 36-27.
The United States have opened the second quarter cold, settling for low percentage, contested shots. Germany has shortened its deficit to 33-26 as the U.S. has scored only four points in the first four minutes of the period.
Starters coming back out for the States.
United States ends quarter on a 21-6 run choreographed by the second unit. The Americans' defense was hard to stop once White, Adebayo and Davis entered together, taking a 29-19 lead into the second quarter.
Holiday still leads all scorers with eight points.
The United States' second team of Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Bam Adebayo have yet to miss, going 3-for-3 on shot attempts to extend their lead to 23-15 late in the first quarter.
Both Edwards and Tatum have nailed a pair of nice turnaround jump shots, with Davis converting a strong and-one layup.
There have already been 11 3-point attempts by both teams so far, with United States shooting 2 for 4 and Germany shooting 3 for 7 from range. Jrue Holiday's second 3-pointer puts the U.S. on top 14-13 halfway through the first quarter. Holiday has a game-high eight points.
Longtime NBA guard Dennis Schroder also has two 3-pointers for Germany, pulling up from way behind the arc for both of his made shots.
The U.S. and Germany are locked in early, with both teams trading shots. LeBron has already caught a pair of monstrous alley-oop dunks. Game tied at 6-6 in the first quarter.
How to watch:Catch Team USA Basketball Showcase with a Fubo subscription
Group A:
Group B:
Group C:
The 2024 Paris Olympics start on July 24 and run through August 11.
TV: Games broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, CNBC
Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com
The schedule is according to NBCOlympics.com and is subject to change.
On the women's side, action begins on July 29 with an exhibition taking place on July 23.
The men's Olympic basketball team has 19 medals, including 16 gold medals. The most recent coming in the 2020 Olympic Games.
The final game of Team USA's pre-Olympic showcase will take place at O2 Arena in London.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, LeBron James is still dominant even as he approaches 40 years old. In Team USA's most recent game against South Sudan, James led the team with 23 points and also hit the game-winning shot with just eight seconds to play.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The NBA's all-time leader in three-pointers, Curry is the greatest shooter to ever walk the face of the planet. He is a two-time NBA MVP, four-time NBA champ, and was the face of the NBA's most recent dynasty.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
A young star, Edwards grew immensely in popularity this past NBA season as his Timberwolves nearly climbed to the top of the Western Conference standings. Despite his young age, Edwards, 22, has established himself as a key cog in this U.S. Team. In their game against South Sudan, Edwards played 21 minutes, which was tied with Anthony Davis and Devin Booker for the third-most on the team.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Wagner played an immense role in the Orlando Magic's rise into the Eastern Conference playoffs last year. He was undoubtedly Germany's best scorer in the team's most recent game against Japan, notching 27 points. The next closest total belonged to Andreas Obst and Dennis Schroder with 12 each.
Dennis Schroder, Brooklyn Nets
Schroder has been a very solid player wherever he's gone. In the NBA, he'll constantly give teams 10-15 points on solid shooting. Whether he's coming off the bench, thrust into a starting role, or playing with the weight of a country behind him, Schroder remains constant.
Johannes Voigtmann, Olimpia Milano
Voigtmann isn't the best scorer, but he's very good at grabbing boards. Voigtmann grabbed eight rebounds and notched three assists (third on team) during Germany's game against Japan. That's not to say that Voigtmann can't pop off for 10 or 15 points every now and again. In fact, during last season with Olimpia Milano, Voigtmann recorded double-digit points on ten separate occasions, including a season-high of 21 against Brescia on May 25.
Scores24: OVER 138.5
Scores 24 notes, "Team USA showed excellent offensive strategy, scoring 1003 points in the past 10 appearances. It is noteworthy that, on average, they scored 100.3 points per game during this stretch. This indicates a high level of preparation and the ability to dominate on the field."
Fidel Rubio, Diario AS: USA 104 - Germany 84
Rubio believes the United States will bounce back in a big way after nearly falling to South Sudan. This would be the U.S.'s second-biggest win of the showcase and would give the team considerable momentum heading into Paris.
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