Paul George returned to the bench and helped restore chemistry for Team USA on Sunday, but it still struggled to advance to the quarterfinals of the Olympic basketball tournament.
The U.S. team's 100-97 victory over France improved its record to 5-0 in Group A play, the only undefeated team in the Games. It will play Wednesday against the fourth-seeded team from Group B, an opponent that will be determined on Monday.
George had scored 15 and 20 points as a reserve in the first two Olympic games. Promoted to the starting unit in place of Klay Thompson, he didn't find chemistry with that group, which also included Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeMarcus Cousins. He scored five and 12 points as a starter in the third and fourth games, and – probably happily – returned to the bench for Sunday's game.
Playing just 14 minutes, he finished with six points, two assists and a steal. The move also benefited Thompson, who finished with a game-high 30 points while hitting 7-of-13 3-point shots.
It was the third consecutive close game for Team USA after five easy exhibition victories and two dominant Olympic wins. It led by 10 points in the final minutes, but allowed France to score the final seven points, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Previously, it had defeated Serbia by three points and Australia by 10.
France started three established NBA players – Nicolas Batum, Rudy Gobert and Boris Diaw – but they were the least effective of the group. San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker sat out the game with a minor toe injury, but will play in the quarterfinals.
George was effective in the first half, but barely played in the second. He entered the game midway through the first period, and helped set the tone by passing up an open shot on the left baseline with a pass back to the three-point line. The ball was reversed to the opposite corner, which led to DeMar DeRozan getting two free throws.
George scored on a tip-in and a fading mid-range jumper before the quarter ended with Team USA leading 30-24 and having hit 11-of-16 field goal attempts. He scored on a layup off lob pass to open the second period. He later picked off a steal in France's halfcourt, but hesitated on his drive to the basket and missed a layup rather than dunking the ball.
He made another unselfish play at the end of the half, shaking free with a behind-the-back dribble to get into the lane, but dishing off an underhand pass to Deandre Jordan for a dunk.
"Paul George has played so much better off the bench," television commentator Doug Collins said at halftime. "He's just in a real rhythm there. I think he feels more valuable on the bench. That first unit, they've got all kinds of scoring, and he's got his rhythm back (on the bench).
"What I've seen is a heightened maturity and patience from what he's had to go through," Collins added. "I'm a big Paul George fan. The Indiana Pacers next year are very exciting. I feel they think they can be a player in the Eastern Conference next year."
Team USA held a lead hovering around double figures through most of the second half, peaking at 16 points midway through the third quarter. It led by 12 heading into the final period, but France opened with an 8-2 run to force a timeout. The lead was back to 10 points late in the game before France's final run.
The final score was closer than the game had been, but left a scowl on Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski's face.
How does the U.S. team become dominating again?
"Not take breaks on the defensive end," Thompson said. "We're missing coverages and not trusting each other enough, but we'll get there. We're going to improve, I guarantee it.
"There were still times the ball stuck, but you can take away a lot of positives from this game. If we keep moving the ball and playing defense, nobody can beat us."
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