What we learned as Steph struggles, AD, Ant shine in Team USA win

What we learned as Steph struggles, AD, Ant shine in Team USA win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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Anthony Edwards got things started and Anthony Davis and Devin Booker helped finish the job for Team USA as it secured a 98-92 exhibition game win against Australia on Monday in Abu Dhabi.

After a hot start by Edwards, including 11 first-quarter points, the flaming hot torch was passed on and shared to Davis and Booker.

Davis finished with a 17-point double-double and Booker shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, contributing 16 points off the bench for Team USA — including some clutch free throws down the final stretch that helped secure the dub.

LeBron James and Joel Embiid each contributed 10 points. Boston Celtics star teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday displayed their selflessness with five and four assists, respectively.

After a standout performance against Team Canada, Steph Curry struggled from beyond the arc in Monday’s win, finishing with just three points on 1-of-6 shooting from deep.

But Edwards’ first-quarter energy, veteran leadership from Davis and high-level 3-point shooting helped Team USA pull out the victory in Abu Dhabi.

Here are the takeaways from the win:

The Anthonys lead the way

Edwards’ confidence recently raised some controversy across the NBA world.

The Minnesota Timberwolves star went viral for stating he was Team USA’s “No. 1 option” despite the roster including superstars like James and Curry.

But whether you agree or not with Edwards’ self-assertion, he certainly looked like the team’s No. 1 option on Monday.

In the span of one minute and 15 seconds in the opening quarter, Edwards knocked down two 3-pointers and grabbed a rebound.

His hot start continued the rest of the frame, finishing with 11 of the team’s 19 points before being subbed out near the halfway point of the quarter.

Edwards cooled down the rest of the game, but he finished with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 3 of 5 from 3-point range, adding four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 27 minutes.

Meanwhile, his namesake,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/learned-steph-struggles-ad-ant-185454077.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-07-15 18:54:54

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