The USA’s basketball star ensemble only narrowly avoided a sporting embarrassment. The team led by NBA superstar LeBron James won in London after a comeback and in the last minute with a score of 101:100 (44:58) against outsiders South Sudan. James scored the decisive points eight seconds before the end. On Monday (9 p.m./ProSieben) the team led by coach Steve Kerr will face world champions Germany led by captain Dennis Schröder in London.
James and Davis convince
The US team, including James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, is considered one of the best teams since the Dream Team in 1992. Following the World Cup semi-final defeat against Germany a year ago, numerous well-known players declared their willingness to be available for the Olympic summer in Lille and Paris.
Late on Saturday evening, James (23 points, six rebounds, six assists) and his Los Angeles Lakers colleague Anthony Davis (15 points and eleven rebounds) were particularly impressive. “I didn’t prepare our team particularly well. I don’t think we focused enough on what they’re capable of. And that’s on me,” admitted head coach Kerr.
Only a run in the third quarter brought the favored Americans back into the game, in which they had been significantly behind at times. James and Co. had won the previous test games with ease. The ensemble is the clear favorite to win gold at the Olympic basketball tournament in Lille and Paris. The team, which is full of NBA professionals, will face South Sudan again in the preliminary round.