While on paper it looked like a formality, Team USA struggled to the end against Cuba in their first match for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. The Americans won 95-90 thanks in particular to a shootout. 3-point clutchIsaiah Thomas.
Isaiah Thomas clutch pour Team USA ! pic.twitter.com/3kcAusSotY
— Basket-Infos (@Basket_Infos) November 29, 2021
We were treated to a crossover between the two teams throughout the match and the Cubans, led by a huge Jasiel Rivero, author of 34 points at 13/18 and 9 rebounds, even seemed to be heading for victory with a 7-point lead with less than 9 minutes remaining. But the men of Jim Boylen raised the tone in defense and passed a 15-4 to take the lead in the wake ofIsaiah Thomas, awkward until then. The leader folded the deal in the last 90 seconds with first a floator and then a 3-point shot to push the opponents back to 5 points.
Thomas finished with 21 points at 7/20 including 4/11 at 3-pts. BJ Johnson adds 16 points to 5/11 including 4/7 to 3-pts and Brian Bowen 16 points at 3/5 at 3-pts.
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