Tokyo Olympics

Team USA defeats Spain in final exhibition before Olympics

The U.S. men overcome a slow start behind Damian Lillard's team-high 19 points and an energetic performance from newcomer Keldon Johnson.

Doug Feinberg | The Associated Press

Damian Lillard (19 points) leads Team USA to 83-76 win over Spain in final exhibition game on Sunday.

LAS VEGAS — Two days after being added to the Olympic team, Keldon Johnson keyed a huge third-quarter run to help the U.S. beat Spain.

Damian Lillard scored 19 points and Johnson added 15 in an 83-76 victory Sunday night in the final pre-Olympic game for both teams before they head to Tokyo.

Johnson had been one of the young players training against the Americans, and had appeared in two exhibition games. The San Antonio forward/guard was added to the Olympic squad Friday after Bradley Beal tested positive for the coronavirus and Kevin Love withdrew because of a calf injury. The U.S. also added JaVale McGee, who didn’t play.

> Box Score | Postgame quotes | Photo gallery

“Keldon Johnson played a really solid basketball game. made cuts to the bucket,” U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said. “When he did go to the bucket he was very physical. Very solid in half-court defense. He had a very, very good night.”

This was the U.S. team’s fourth exhibition in eight days in Las Vegas. The Americans were supposed to have a fifth against Australia on Friday, but that was canceled out of caution because of the coronavirus issues the Americans were dealing with.

Keldon Johnson came up big for Team USA in the third quarter vs. Spain.

The two top-ranked team in the world struggled early on with Spain missing its first six shots before finally getting a basket 4:35 into the game.

Despite the slow start the Spaniards led 18-14 after one. They extended the lead to 38-36 at the half. Lillard and Durant each had 11 points at the half. The two combined to go 7 for 16 from the field while the rest of the U.S. squad was 5 of 19. Ricky Rubio had 14 points at the half for Spain.

“The defense was pretty solid. we couldn’t make a shot, but they didn’t let up defensively,” Popovich said. “Kept their focus in that regard which will be important.”

Trailing 46-42 in the third quarter, the U.S. finally got going. The Americans scored the first 11 points during a 23-6 run that spanned the final two quarters. Johnson had eight points during the game-changing spurt. His dunk midway through the burst brought the crowd to life.

“I’m out here to be that energy guy, bring life to the team whenever you need it,” Johnson said. “The third quarter we needed a spark. not saying because I got a couple of buckets. On the defense end, trying to bring some kind of energy or spark so we can get over the hump.”

Spain only had one field goal in the final 5:44 of the quarter and was down 57-50 heading into the fourth quarter.

Take a look back at Team USA's best baskets from Sunday's exhibition win against Spain.

The U.S. kept the burst going to start the fourth and led 65-52 on Jayson Tatum’s reverse layup with 7:30 left. Spain could get no closer than eight the rest of the way.

Rubio finished with 23 points,

While the U.S. had struggled at times in Las Vegas, Rubio, who has played internationally for years, thinks they’ll figure it out.

“It’s the first time they are playing together, it takes time,” he said. “They are dangerous if they play as a team.”

Back with the team

Jerami Grant returned to the U.S. squad after being in health and safety protocols since earlier this week “out of an abundance of caution”

1st Quarter 

Team USA got off to a quick start, going on a 7-0 run in the first few minutes of the game. But Spain shook off some early rust and stormed back with a run of their own to take a 18-14 lead after the opening quarter.

2nd Quarter

After getting off to a slow start from beyond the arc, Team USA found their shooting rhythm in the 2nd period. US drained four 3s in the 2nd quarter after making just one in the 1st. Kevin Durant poured in 9 points in the quarter, including a pair of triples. Durant and Damian Lillard led Team USA with 11 points each, as they trailed Spain 38-36 at halftime.

3rd Quarter

Team USA used a strong 3rd period to turn a 2-point halftime deficit into a 7-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. US went on an 11-0 run in the period, led by young Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, who scored 10 points in the quarter.

 

4th Quarter

The US’ momentum from the 3rd quarter carried over into the final period, as the team extended its lead and went on to win 83-76. Zach LaVine had a huge quarter, scoring all 13 of his points in the final period, including a couple highlight slams. Lillard led Team USA in points with 19, and Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio paced Spain with 23.

 

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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