Team USA struggles in the paint against Australia despite exhibition win in Abu Dhabi

Team USA faced off against Australia in an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi, coming out victorious with a 98-92 win. However, the game highlighted some glaring issues for the American squad, particularly in the interior defense department. Despite Anthony Davis putting up an impressive performance with 17 points and 14 rebounds in just 18 minutes, the Australians managed to exploit the softness in the middle. They capitalized on aggressive drives, interior passes, and misdirections to rack up a staggering 68 points in the paint, exposing a significant concern for Team USA.

While Team USA showed improvements on the offensive end compared to their previous win over Canada, making 12 3-pointers and showcasing better ball movement and organization, they still struggled with turnovers. The Americans turned the ball over 18 times during the game, well above an acceptable number for a team of this caliber. Despite solid performances from players like Devin Booker, who had 15 points, and Anthony Edwards, who contributed 14 points, the excessive turnovers hindered Team USA’s performance.

Australian Resilience and Scoring

Australia, led by Jock Landale’s 20 points predominantly scored in the paint, proved to be a formidable opponent for Team USA. The Australians remained within striking distance throughout the game, cutting the deficit to just five points with five minutes remaining and narrowing it to four points in the final minute. Despite Team USA managing to hold them off with timely 3-pointers and free throws, the Australians‘ relentless attacks in the paint showcased their offensive prowess and resilience against the American defense.

The exhibition match against Australia served as a wake-up call for Team USA, highlighting the need for improvement in their interior defense and ball security. While individual players like Anthony Davis shone bright, the team as a whole must address these critical issues to ensure success in upcoming competitions, including the quest for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold in Paris. The game against Australia revealed vulnerabilities that opponents are likely to exploit, emphasizing the importance of shoring up their defenses and minimizing turnovers in order to compete at the highest level.