USA win 98-82 over Australia

USA Men's Basketball team secured a decisive victory over Australia with a final score of 98-82. This exhibition game served as a crucial warm-up for both teams ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, where they will be competing for the coveted gold medal. The match was held at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas and showcased the immense talent and skill of both teams.

Fixing that issue was paramount when assembling Team USA as it tries in Paris to win a fifth consecutive Olympic gold. Early in the process, challenges remain on this front.

Team USA beat Australia 98-92 in an exhibition Monday in Abu Dhabi in front of a record crowd of 12,217 fans at Etihad Arena. It's a second straight win over a medal contender for the U.S., but there were a few things to pay attention to that the Aussies, always a very good test in run-ups to big events, showed.

Devin Booker iced the game for Team USA after that by going 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

Davis led the United States with 17 points and 14 rebounds on 6-for-12 shooting from the floor. Landale led Australia with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 9-for-12 shooting from the floor.

The Americans will conclude its two games in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday against fourth-ranked Serbia and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, before the USA Basketball Showcase shifts to the O2 Arena in London for games against Olympic newcomer South Sudan on Saturday and 2023 FIBA World Cup champion Germany next Monday. The U.S. opens Olympic play July 28 against Serbia, which faces Australia on Tuesday.

Jock Landale had 20 points and seven rebounds, while Josh Giddey had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Australia, which is seeking its first Olympic medal. While the U.S. improved to 36-3 in pre-Olympic exhibitions in the Dream Team era, the last loss was to Australia 91-83 in the USA Basketball Showcase in Las Vegas in 2021.

This victory for Team USA serves as a confidence booster heading into the Olympic Games. It showcases their ability to compete at a high level against top-tier international competition and solidifies them as strong contenders for the gold medal. As they continue to fine-tune their strategies and skills in preparation for Tokyo, this win over Australia is sure to motivate them to strive for excellence on basketball's biggest stage.

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Sarah H

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