This was not a gold medal performance by Team USA.
The Americans held off Australia, 98-92, in an exhibition victory in the United Arab Emirates on Monday as they prepare for the Paris Olympics at the end of the month.
“Third quarter, we started turning the ball over,” Team USA coach Steve Kerr said.
“We gave up a ton of points at the basket. Back cuts, offensive boards and so, the game shifted. It’s a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later.”
Australia aggressively attacked Team USA, which led to an eye-popping 68 points in the paint during the 40-minute game.
The problems persisted throughout the game as Bam Adebayo hacked Jock Landale, who converted the and-one for his team-high 20th point — as he exposed the hole in the Team USA defense.
There were struggles on both ends of the floor as a 20-point third quarter lead slipped away with Australia getting as close as four points in the waning minutes.
Team USA went through a cold spell in the fourth quarter — missing seven shots in a row — as Australia went on a 14-2 run before Tyrese Haliburton hit a corner 3-pointer.
Team USA ended the game with 18 turnovers.
“And this will be a good tape for us to watch,” Kerr said. “But I give Australia a ton of credit. They were great. They fought. They were really physical. Took it to us in the last quarter and a half and really made it a game.”
Steph Curry couldn’t get things going, as he shot 1-of-6 from beyond the arc.
But thankfully for Kerr, he has the ability to replace All-Star starters with other All-Stars.
One of those studs was Anthony Davis, who had 17 points and 14 rebounds in 18 minutes.
“The strength of our team is our depth,” Kerr said, “and we have to utilize our depth.”
Devin Booker, another helping hand off the bench, had a clutch bucket in the fourth, sealing any hopes of an Australian comeback.
“We can’t get comfortable. I think the third quarter we came out and got super comfortable, took our foot off the gas,” Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who had 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, told reporters.
“I think the second group shares the ball a lot more than the first group as far as us and myself. So we got to do a better job of getting each other involved.”
Team USA will take on Nikola Jokic and Serbia on Wednesday in an exhibition that will certainly test their defensive prowess.
The two teams will also open Olympic play against each other July 28.