In a thrilling exhibition game leading up to the Paris Olympics 2024, Team USA showcased their incredible depth and emerged victorious with a hard-fought 98-92 win over Australia. The packed house of 12,217 spectators in Abu Dhabi witnessed an intense battle between two teams with medal aspirations.

Coach Steve Kerr made a bold decision by assembling a closing lineup comprising five NBA All-Stars in Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, and Bam Adebayo. This left LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Davis on the bench. Despite the absence of these iconic stars, the depth of the American roster proved to be overwhelming for the opposition in both exhibition games thus far.

It was the resilience of the USA's bench that became the defining factor in their victory over Australia. The second unit, featuring defenders like Holiday, Adebayo, and Davis, brought a remarkable defensive presence to the court, frustrating the Australian team for most of the game.

Anthony Davis, in particular, showcased his dominance as he spearheaded the American squad's performance with a team-high 17 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocked shots. Devin Booker contributed 16 points, while Anthony Edwards displayed his explosive athleticism, starting the game hot with 11 points in the first quarter and finishing with a solid 14 points.

Kerr made adjustments to the starting lineup from the previous game against Canada, with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards earning the nod. This new combination demonstrated great chemistry, swiftly moving the ball and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. LeBron James notably cashed in from the corner with a 3-pointer, epitomizing the team's efficiency and versatility.

Australia, known for their gritty style of play, fought back valiantly throughout the game. Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls impressed with his ability to navigate the lane and develop a strong connection with Jock Landale, who contributed seven early points for the Boomers. However, the depth and offensive firepower of the USA ultimately began to take its toll, resulting in an 11-point lead for the Americans after the first quarter.

The USA continued to control the game, building a comfortable 25-point lead and keeping it around 20 for a significant portion of the second and third quarters. However, complacency crept in as the Americans relaxed their grip on the game, allowing Australia to capitalize on turnovers and defensive lapses. Australia's resurgent performance narrowed the gap to just four points at one stage, leaving the USA on edge. Coach Kerr's decision to rely on the closing line-up stemmed from their outstanding ball movement and ability to create open scoring opportunities.

Team USA's victory was not without its flaws, as they succumbed to 18 turnovers throughout the game. Defensive lapses, particularly in defending mismatches down low, allowed Landale to exploit the Americans and highlighted an area of improvement for the team moving forward.

Despite these challenges, there were more positives than negatives for the USA. Joel Embiid showcased improved form, contributing 10 points and five rebounds, while LeBron James and Bam Adebayo added 10 points each. However, the absence of Kevin Durant due to calf soreness remains a concern, as his return to the court is eagerly awaited.

The next test for Team USA comes against Serbia, another formidable medal contender featuring the immensely talented Nikola Jokic. This matchup is scheduled for Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Kerr and his team will undoubtedly study the game footage and address areas that require improvement as they aim to keep their unbeaten record intact on their path to Paris 2024.