Team USA was able to pull out a win against Team Serbia 94-91, but another close call is really raising anxiety levels regarding Team USA basketball.
Team USA previously survived Team Australia by a score closer than they would’ve preferred, but at least that team was stacked with multiple NBA players.
The only player on Team Serbia currently in the NBA is Nikola Jokic. Serbia was 1-2 heading into this game, and came within 3 points of handing Team USA their first loss of the tournament.
Those details regarding Serbia’s status in this tournament makes this game especially alarming for Team USA.
"It was a learning lesson.. close game.. we'll build on it." – @DeMar_DeRozan #USABMNT #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/pjFhAsNubv
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 13, 2016
There’s something to be said for showing the fortitude to close out tight games with a win, but it shouldn’t even have been that close to begin with.
In fact, Bogdan Bogdanovic had a wide open 3-pointer that would have tied the game as time expired. Luckily for Team USA, he missed.
Since 2006, Team USA has won by 10 points or less just 6 times. 2 of those times have occurred in consecutive games now.
They once looked invincible, but other teams in the tournament can plainly see that this team is now vulnerable.
Final: USA 94, SRB 91@KyrieIrving team-high 15pts, #USABMNT 7-20 3pt FGs.
Recap: https://t.co/ahfarjn1LI pic.twitter.com/PBrxgNSQ4z
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 13, 2016
The game started off successfully for Team USA, immediately opening on a 24-7 run. However, the lead was chipped away by Serbia over the course of the game, making for some tense final moments.
Team USA plays Team France on Sunday to close out Group A. Depending on the outcome of Team France’s game tonight against Team Venezuela, the theoretical possibility of a three-way tie atop Group A still exists.
Team France would have to win out, and Team Australia would have to beat Team Venezuela on Sunday.
If a three-way tie materializes, point differential will be used to determine the seeding heading into the elimination rounds.
If Team USA takes care of business against Team France on Sunday, though, that won’t be necesaary