Magic Star Paolo Banchero Dazzles in Team USA Win vs. Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro
The United States' men's national basketball team is victorious in their second-round opener at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in an 85-73 win against Montenegro.
After winning their three games in preliminary play by an average of over 34 points, Team USA (4-0) was informed of a feisty challenge from the get-go: Montenegro, the runner-up in Group D play behind Lithuania, jumped out to an 11-4 lead and never truly drifted away as the highest American lead was a mere seven until some distance was finally generated in the penultimate minute.
The Americans' depth stars came through for them in the form of 39 points, starting with a 7-0 run at the end of the first period to create a 19-18 lead. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana) scored half of his 10 points in that stretch and also dished out a team-best six assists over 23 minutes of play. Austin Reaves (LA Lakers) took only two shots from the field but reached 12 points with a 9-of-11 outing from the foul line.
Orlando Magic Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero had eight points earned via highlight-reel doubles and also pulled in four rebounds.
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Banchero wasn't the only player on the floor that Magic fans should be familiar with.
Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls) lived up to his literally big billing, posting an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double. Dino Radončić also pulled in 10 rebounds while Orlando native Kendrick Perry had 14 points and six assists.
Montenegro (2-2) had a one-point lead at the half but some of the recovered starters helped the Americans seal the deal: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) shot 7-of-10 over the final 20 to earn a USA-best 17 points while Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) and Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets) each reached double-figures with 11 and 10 respectively.
As the only perfect team in Group J and posting a plus-115 point differential (plus head-to-head tiebreakers over Greece and Montenegro), Team USA is all but assured advanced to the World Cup's eight-team knockout round. They can clinch the group outright with a win on Sunday against Lithuania (8:40 a.m. ET, ESPN2).
