Brian WindhorstESPN Senior Writer September 1, 2023, 6:42am ET2 minutes read
MANILA, Philippines – Team USA completed its first test of the FIBA World Cup on Friday. They came over, but it was a little shaky.
Montenegro was full of size and played with confidence, leading at halftime and refusing to let the Americans down in the second half until pulling away late in the fourth period. In the end, Team USA won 85-73 thanks to strong performances from guards Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Austin Reaves.
Edwards scored all 17 points in the second half as he felt the moment and showcased all of his skills, from jumping to driving to getting to the foul line. Haliburton was a star on both ends as he had 10 points, 6 assists and two steals.
The win puts Team USA in a very good position to advance to the Quarterfinals next week. But it highlighted the challenge ahead, first on Sunday against a strong Lithuanian side and possibly after that as the competition increases.
Team USA’s weakness is undoubtedly its size, as has been clear since the team was put together. Montenegro is a classic Eastern European FIBA team, big and strong, complete with a big star, Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic.
From the start, Montenegro used their outside edges, hammering the ball into the middle and attacking the offensive boards. When the first quarter was over, they had an 11-rebound lead, which showed they meant business.
Overall, the Montenegrans won the rebound fight 48:31 and 22 of them on offense. Not only did this give them a possession advantage, crucial in a surprise attack, but it also slowed down the USA. This is the first task in any attempt to beat Team USA in this tournament.
Vucevic, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract in Chicago last month, played the role often seen against the United States: an NBA star who goes all out in a moment of national pride. He pushed his NBA peers, fought for rebounds and showed the flair that made him a two-time All-Star.
He finished the game with 18 points and 15 rebounds, inflicting some bruises on Jaren Jackson Jr., Bobby Portis and everyone else who battled with him. Jackson, who had foul problems early in the game, was not credited with a rebound and nobody on the US team had more than 5.
The USA had 1 of 9 from 3-point range in the first half and only 5 of 17 in the game. They also missed ten free throws and turned the ball over the goal twelve times. These are all ingredients to be beaten at the World Cup.
But Reaves executed a crucial 3-pointer with 2:44 left that finally gave the Americans some breathing room. He finished the game with 12 points without a substitute.
US-born Kendrick Perry scored 14 points for Montenegro.