Steve Kerr’s Team Secures Victory and Solidifies Favorite Status for 2023 World Cup

Germany had it, but the United States did not hold back. Fantastic victory for Steve Kerr’s team, which strengthens its status as favorite for the 2023 World Cup by winning all its friendlies, including this last one. It does not matter that it is not the original Dream Team or that the main stars have stayed at home, the pride of the North Americans and their resistance to defeat is commendable. They beat Spain in the Centenary Tournament and have passed the final exam with flying colors against a Germany that could well be the second favorite in the upcoming tournament. But far, still, from a team led by Anthony Edwards and that has Austin Reaves as an eternal sensation. A player who prolongs the sweetness with which he ended his NBA season with the Lakers and who is a fantastic boost for his team.

Steve Kerr knows that well, he suffered it in the series that the Lakers beat the Warriors, at the end of an era in which LeBron James prevailed over an entire dynasty that is also the biggest rival he has had in his endless career. In this tie, a Reaves emerged that Kerr brought onto the track when his team was losing 55-71, already halfway through the third quarter. From there it went to 73-74, an 18-3 run that led the entry of the young player (25 years old), a native of Arkansas. Germany, however, refused to give up in a game they had dominated for most of the time: 73-80 early in the final period, 77-86 with less than 7 minutes to go. It was useless: Reaves scored a triple and Edwards unleashed two consecutive: 86-86. Tremendous.

The end was American after a few minutes without scoring, almost 3 to be exact. Then, a triple by Mikal Bridges and 4 consecutive points by Edwards, the first two from personal. A dunk from Tyrese Haliburton clarified things and Germany barely had a triple from Franz Wagner to give an emotion that no longer existed. A basket in 5 minutes tastes like too little when it comes to facing the United States, who closed the game with two free throws from Haliburton… and a steal with a dunk from Reaves, who was postulated as the great hero. In the end, 99-91 and to think of a World Cup in which anything can happen, but in which the North Americans arrive undefeated and as top favourites. It could not be otherwise.

Edwards finished with 34 points in 34 minutes, plus a +37 with him on the track. Reaves, with 16 in 18 and a +14. Jalen Brunson did not stand out this time (8 goals) nor did he play the final minutes and no other American player reached double figures in scoring in Abu Dhabi, venue of the match. In Germany, who came out willing to hit the table that did not consolidate, there were up to 6 players with more than ten points, 12, with 13 rebounds from a Danel Theis that made Jaren Jackson suffer and 16, with 10 assists , of a Dennis Schröder who bears all the weight of the direction and the attack when he is on the track. In a formidable match, the best we’ve seen in preparation for the World Cup. That he is just around the corner and that he will surely have a lot of excitement. With Austin Reaves, that’s for sure.

2023-08-21 04:10:27
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