USA edges Brazil 70-68 in thriller at FIBA World Championship
The United States' national basketball team defeated the Brazilian national team on Monday 70-68 in a thrilling contest with a heart-stopping final quarter in the preliminary round of the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.
The USA (3-0) was led by Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant who was 9-for-19 shooting, finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
Brazil (2-1) led 48-46 at half time, making several circus shots.In the second half, the US took control, but they could not pull away. The US led 61-59 entering the final quarter.
Both teams failed to score much in the fourth. Brazil couldn't hit from deep, and the United States missed several point-blank range shots.
With the United States up two with 30 seconds to go, Brazil grabbed the rebound off a failed three-point attempt from Chauncey Billups. Brazil got the ball to Marcelo Tieppo who drove to lane, spun and got fouled while shooting. The ball rimmed out, and Tieppo went to the line.
With the fans roaring in Abdi İpekçi Arena, Tieppo missed the first free throw. The guard missed the second free throw intentionally, getting the ball back after a darted ball hit the rim. Tieppo took the ball to the corner and found Toronto Raptors guard Leandro Barbosa inside with two seconds to go. Barbosa put the ball on the floor, looked up, and put up a shot that rolled out as time expired.
Brazil shot a dismal 22 percent in the final quarter, only managing nine points, the same amount as the United States.
The difference in the second half was the United States defence. After scoring 46 points in the first half, the South Americans could only register 22 points in the entire second half thanks to great pressure and several steals.
Chauncey Billups added fifteen points for the US, who are looking for their first FIBA World Championship title in since 1994 in Canada.
Brazil last won the title in 1963 when they hosted the tournament. Brazil shot 58 percent from the field in the first half. They finished shooting 42 percent for the game after going 4-for-14 in the fourth.
Barbosa finished with 14 points and four assists for Brazil. Marcus Vinicius added 16 points, and Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs dropped 14 points.
Derrick Rose contributed with 11 points and Lamar Odom registered eight points for the United States.
Brazil returns to action on Wednesday against Tunisia.
USA faces Iran on the same day.
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