LeBron Leads Team USA Over Brazil 80-69

LeBron James slams home 2 of his 30 points against Brazil
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

"[I]f we win the gold medal, it will be because of how well we play defensively. To win this game like that I think is a good learning experience for our group.” Coach Krzyzewski commented after the United States defeated Brazil 80-69. It certainly was a good experience for Team USA. After decimating an over matched Dominican squad the US team played in front of a sold out Verizon Center in the nation's capital and also President Barack Obama. The last time these two clubs locked horns the United States came away with a 2 point win that came down to the wire and early on the Brazilians made it clear that the Americans were going to have to work for their victory.

Behind the sublime play of point guard Marcelo Machado, Brazil took a 27-17 lead at the end of the first quarter and showed that it wasn't going to be an easy walk through exhibition for USA. Brazil boasts 4 NBA players in Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Nene and Tiago Splitter and they made their presence felt early on controlling the inside and forcing the United States to shoot primarily from the outside. In the first half the US was a paltry 1-12 from behind the arc. However, when the second half began, Russel Westbrook provided a spark that team USA would ride for the rest of the game, forcing multiple turnovers. Team USA would go into half with a small lead after a 20-5 second quarter. The story of the game was how the United States could turn up the pressure on defense to suffocate and frustrate point guards and down under the basket in the much more physical FIBA game.

 LeBron James was a key proponent of the American defense which lead to many fast break buckets as they turned the tide going into the second half.  For the game, the United States forced 23 turnovers and turned that into 28 big points. Despite the rebounding discrepancy from Brazil to the US (38-30) the US topped Brazil in second chance points 13-5. In the second half the teams traded blows like a pair of heavyweight contenders matching nearly basket for basket. LeBron James though simply would not let the US drop this one scoring 17 of his game high 30 in the second half. After the half time deficit the closest Brazil would get is 6 points but all hopes of a comeback win were dashed by LeBron James hitting a three pointer, stealing the ball, and hitting another 3 in transition. After a pair of free throws in the final minute the game had it's final tally, 80-69. Brazil battled the entire game and it seemed like at no point were they out of the game. If they continue to play the way they did against the Americans it's possible that the Brazilians could find themselves medalling in the Olympics something that hasn't happened since 1964.

Commenting further about the defense Coach K stated, "I felt our defense won the game. I thought it was outstanding for three quarters, especially since we didn't hit shots and we missed a lot of dunks. I liked the mental toughness of our team. We kept reminding them we're not doing it on offense, don't let it affect defense. I thought it didn't." One thing that plagued team USA for a second game was coming out with a slow start. When they go up against the likes of Argentina and Spain they are going to have to put together a full 40. Their next chance to do that will be in England as they face the British national team on 7/19 their third of five exhibitions before the torch is lit in London.