Damian Lillard finished with 19 points, six assists and four steals as Team USA concluded its pre-Olympics schedule with an 83-76 win over Spain on Sunday night in Las Vegas.
Keldon Johnson, a late addition to the team after health and safety protocols knocked Bradley Beal out of participation, scored 15 points in 17 minutes, including hitting 7 of 9 shots from the field.
Johnson, the San Antonio forward who just completed his second NBA season, is quite familiar with Team USA coach Gregg Popovich, his Spurs coach.
“Keldon Johnson just played a solid basketball game. He shot it when he was open and when he did go to the bucket he was very physical,” Popovich told the media.
Team USA was coming off earlier losses to Nigeria on July 10 and Australia on July 12 and a rout of Argentina on July 13.
Popovich said he liked what he saw on Sunday, and emphasized that he is keeping it simple.
“We’re getting better with each passing day. Less is more. Reinventing the wheel is the worst thing you could do with this group,” he said.
Kevin Durant scored 14 points, although he was just 5 of 13 from the field, and Zach LaVine scored 13 points in 22 minutes on 5 of 8 shooting, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range.
Ricky Rubio scored a game-high 23 points in 23 minutes for Spain. Marc Gasol added 10 points and five rebounds, and Willy Hernangomez scored 11 points.
Olympic pool play begins July 25 for the Americans against France.
–Field Level Media