3 things to watch as USA faces Spain in FIBA exhibition
Team USA pulled out a decisive 30-point win over Slovenia in Saturday’s exhibition.
>> Box score: USA vs. Spain
The United States improved to 2-0 on its five-game exhibition tour in preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a 92-62 win over Slovenia on Saturday in Malaga, Spain.
Anthony Edwards led the USA in scoring, posting his second straight game with 15 points, including the play of the day with an alley-oop dunk from an off-the-backboard pass by Jalen Brunson in transition.
Slovenia played without NBA superstar Luka Doncic for precautionary reasons with the team on the second day of a back-to-back. Doncic took a blow to his left knee during Slovenia’s game against Spain on Friday.
Next up for the Americans is a matchup against the host Spain on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox) in the final game of this showcase in Malaga. Team USA will head to Abu Dhabi for their final two tune-up games ahead of the World Cup, which tips off Aug. 25.
1. Spain will be Team USA’s toughest test in exhibition play
The United States followed Monday’s 117-74 win over Puerto Rico with a 92-62 win over Slovenia on Saturday, giving them two blowout wins in their first two exhibition games.
The Americans have combined to outscore their opponents by 73 points (209-136), and their defense has been a key strength, not only allowing just 68 points per game, but forcing turnovers, getting steals and generating offense from their defense.
But the competition level is about to rise Sunday as Team USA takes on defending champions Spain, which enters the 2023 FIBA World Cup the No. 1 ranked team in the world, just ahead of the No. 2 USA.
Not only will Sunday’s opponent be stronger than their first two matchups, the Americans will face two additional challenges when play begins:
- This is a true road game for the United States as Spain will be playing in front of its home fans in Malaga, in what should provide a raucous crowd and great atmosphere for an exhibition game.
- This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Americans, a rarity for the team in international competition. The US had four players play 20 minutes or more on Saturday: Jalen Brunson (25), Anthony Edwards (23), Brandon Ingram (21) and Austin Reaves (20). After being held out of the Puerto Rico game while finalizing his NBA contract, Josh Hart played 14 minutes on Saturday, giving coach Steve Kerr his full roster to work with. He may need to juggle minutes to keep players fresh on Sunday.
2. Can Team USA improve 3-point shooting?
If there is one concern for Team USA through the first two games of his exhibition tour, it is their struggles from the 3-point line. After shooting just 6-for-27 (22.2%) from 3-point range in their win over Puerto Rico, the US struggled in the first half against Slovenia, making only 2-for-12 (16.7%) attempts. In the second half, Team USA’s 3-point shooting was better (7-for-21, 33.3%) but still not at the level expected of this team.
Brandon Ingram attempts a 3-pointer vs. Slovenia on Saturday.
The Americans finished the game shooting 9-for-33 (27.3%) against Slovenia. When combined with the Puerto Rico game, the US is shooting just 15-for-60 (25%) from beyond the arc – a shot that is nearly a foot and a half closer than the NBA 3-point shot. What makes this percentage more concerning is those shots have come from open looks either in the half court or in transition, but players have been inconsistent with knocking them down.
It is fair to consider these two factors when discussing 3-point struggles:
- With the 3-point line closer than in the NBA game, do players need to adjust their shot for the shorter distance? Great shooting comes from repetition and practice, and it may take some time for the American shooters to lock in on the new 3-point distance.
- A different ball is used in FIBA play compared to NBA games. Again, this goes back to comfortability and repetition, and getting used to the feel of the new ball. While it has little impact on layups and dunks, it may take some time to get comfortable when it comes to 3-point shooting.
Through two games, Austin Reaves has been the best 3-point shooter for the US, going 3-o-7 (42.9%) from long distance, while Brandon Ingram and Cam Johnson have also made three 3-pointers heading into Sunday’s game.
| PLAYER | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
| Austin Reaves | 3 | 7 | 42.9% |
| Brandon Ingram | 3 | 8 | 37.5% |
| Tyrese Haliburton | 2 | 6 | 33.3% |
| Cameron Johnson | 3 | 10 | 30.0% |
| Anthony Edwards | 2 | 9 | 22.2% |
| Mikal Bridges | 1 | 5 | 20.0% |
| Jalen Brunson | 1 | 9 | 11.1% |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 0 | 2 | 0.0% |
| Bobby Portis | 0 | 2 | 0.0% |
| Paolo Banchero | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
| Josh Hart | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
3. Talent vs. continuity will be on display
No player on the United States has played for Team USA on the senior national team in a major international competition.
When we look back at the history of USA Basketball since the introduction of NBA players with the 1992 Dream Team, at least one player with previous senior national team experience has been on the roster.
| International Competition | Players with National Team Experience |
| 1992 Olympic Games | 2 players |
| 1994 FIBA World Championship | 2 players |
| 1996 Olympic Games | 7 players |
| 2000 Olympic Games | 2 players |
| 2002 FIBA World Championship | 1 player |
| 2004 Olympic Games | 1 player |
| 2006 FIBA World Championship | 4 players |
| 2007 FIBA AmeriCup | 5 players |
| 2008 Olympic Games | 12 players |
| 2010 FIBA World Championship | 2 players |
| 2012 Olympic Games | 10 players |
| 2014 FIBA World Cup | 5 players |
| 2016 Olympic Games | 6 players |
| 2019 FIBA World Cup | 2 players |
| 2020 Olympic Games | 4 players |
| 2023 FIBA World Cup | 0 players |
While Spain has lost a few longtime members of their national team – such as Pau and Marc Gasol as well as Ricky Rubio – the defending champions have much more continuity to their roster than Team USA.
Spain’s roster features 10 players from their 2022 team that won EuroBasket, seven players from their 2020 Olympic team, and five players from their 2019 championship. In addition to continuity on the roster, the Spanish National Team is led by head coach Sergio Scariolo, who has coached the team since 2015.
The Spanish squad has two current NBA players on its roster for World Cup: Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Santi Aldama and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Usman Garuba.
Aldama, who is making his debut with the senior national team, had an impressive showing against Slovenia on Friday, finishing with teams highs of 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while adding two blocks. Garuba left the game early with an ankle injury that will likely keep him out of Sunday’s game against the USA.
Free agent Willy Hernangomez – the MVP of EuroBasket 2022 for Spain – played for the New Orleans Pelicans last season and a strong World Cup showing could help boost his stock heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. Hernangomez’s brother, Juancho, played in the NBA from 2016-2023, but recently signed a two-year deal to play in Greece with Panathinaikos. Veteran guard Rudy Fernandez – who has played with the Spanish National Team since the 2004 Summer Olympics – played four seasons in the NBA from 2008 to 2012.
While Spain has players and coaches who have been in their program for years, this United States squad has been together for just two weeks as they try to come together quickly. Can Team USA’s overall talent advantage be enough to overcome Spain’s experience and continuity?
