Nasty Fouls, Aggressive Plays Overtake USA’s Toughest Battle Yet as Nikola Vucevic’s Montenegro Suffer Disheartening Loss

Team USA is considered the favorite for every international tournament given the basketball talent in the country and especially the NBA. Even if some of the biggest NBA stars are not on the roster, they are still expected to win every game. And they have almost always done that. Anything other than a win is deemed a disaster. That is the case for the current young squad at the 2023 FIBA World Cup as well. However, things could have turned really ugly against Montenegro. After dismantling teams in the group stage, USA struggled in their second-round match-up.

Team USA is matched up against Montenegro and Lithuania in the second round of the World Cup. The first game against Montenegro was more closely contested than anyone anticipated.

Things went out of hand during the tight game

Both the USA and Montenegro went toe to toe from the tip-off. The game saw six lead changes and was tied seven times. It was not another routine comfortable game for the Americans. Notably, Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic was at the center of things for his country dominating his opponents. Walker Kessler was called in to contain the two-time NBA All-Star, and he did a decent job.

After leading the game by one point at the end of the first quarter, the USA saw their opponents dominate the game in the second. However, Team USA made a comeback in the dying seconds of the second quarter. Notably, Anthony Edwards dished Kessler for an emphatic poster dunk on Marko Simonovic as the half-time whistle was blown.

However, Simonovic was not impressed with the Utah Jazz star’s antics, and he hit Kessler below the belt which resulted in an unsportsmanlike foul. Austin Reaves stepped up and made the free throws.

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But Team USA still trailed as they left for the locker room at halftime. However, they were furious about the unnecessary foul on their teammate, and they showed it in the third quarter with an inspired display in the third quarter and once again claimed the lead. 

Team USA took care of business

Team USA found some separation from their opponents in the third quarter. However, Montenegro did not give up and fought back strongly throughout the game. But it was not enough as the Americans continued to build on their lead in the final period and clinched the game 85-73.

Anthony Edwards led his team in scoring with 17 points. On the other hand, Nikola Vucevic led both teams with 18 points. He put in an impressive performance adding 16 rebounds out of which 7 were on the offensive end.

Despite losing the rebounding battle and giving up 22 second-chance points, Team USA won the game thanks to their ability to turn defense into offense quickly. Notably, they had 14 steals and 23 fastbreak points compared to 5 steals and 2 fastbreak points from their opponents. The game also saw some nasty fouls with Montenegro committing 24 and USA 19.

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Despite their opponents breathing down their necks, the young stars were able to see out the game. However, it was too close for comfort for the title favorites. Now, another test awaits the young Eagles in the form of Lithuania.