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LAS VEGAS — There have been some tough moments for Team USA during Olympic training, but Wednesday’s game against Canada wasn’t one of them.

The Americans won 86-72 in the opening of the country’s second summer showcase at a packed T-Mobile Arena. Anthony Edwards, the U.S. team’s leading scorer at the World Cup in the absence of all those stars, followed with 13 points. Anthony Davis, another reserve, had his first double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Steph Curry led the team with 12 points.

“We’re really just getting started,” Team USA head coach Steve Kerr said. “Four days of training. You can see the call on the end of the offense. Especially a lot of turnovers in the first half.

“But I like his defensive intensity and his hard work. So it’s a good first attempt. We had to define the style of play we wanted, and I think we did that.

RJ Barrett led Canada with 12 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks each added 10 points. Jrue Holiday, perhaps in a surprise debut or perhaps filling a role expected of Kawhi Leonard, played in Gilgeous-Alexander’s defense and also scored 11 points for the U.S.

As for both programs, the Americans avenged their 2023 World Cup loss to Canada in the bronze medal game last September. Many of Canada’s players are the same; the Americans return only two players.

“I didn’t like the way we played, regardless of the score,” said Canadian coach Jordy Fernandez, who is also the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. “It’s not about who we are, how we want to play and who we want to be.

“And in the first 10 days of practice, we’ve done a lot better. And credit to Steve. They’re a really good team. (It’s) not about winning or losing, it’s about how we play. And that’s not what we want.

With American and Canadian teams stacked with NBA stars and the league’s annual summer games kicking off this weekend in Las Vegas, the atmosphere inside T-Mobile Arena was jubilant and frenzied. It’s possible. Brooks was roundly booed and cheered by American stars, including those from the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

Both teams have a lot of work to do before the Olympics begin on July 26. The Americans committed 15 turnovers to Canada’s 13 and trailed 11-1 to open the game. Joel Embiid … 5:01 left in the third quarter? Yes, yes, he did. So he needs to learn the FIBA ​​rules and maybe continue to improve his fitness. He also elbowed Dwight Powell in the face.

The two offenses are a bit confusing. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 3-of-10 from the field and the Canadiens went 7-of-32 from 3. LeBron James, who hasn’t played for Team USA since 2012, had 7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists on 3-over-7 shooting. Embiid shot just 2-of-5 from the field and added six rebounds.

“We wanted to put Joel in early because we knew Canada didn’t have a lot of territory and we didn’t really do that,” Kerr said. “They put pressure on us to make changes.”

The Americans are flexing old and new muscles. The one advantage they’ve always had — depth — allowed them to overcome a 21-14 first-quarter deficit. The score was 41-33 for the U.S. team at halftime and Edwards hit a three-pointer in the third quarter to take a 69-54 lead. Overall, the U.S. bench outscored Canada 42-33, but the margin was wider before the loss.

Ant with sound surprise 🚨😤

📺 : FS1 pic.twitter.com/JJGiepMkw4

– FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 11, 2024

The magnitude of the force America added by bringing in Davis, Embiid and Bam Adebayo is evident. The United States scored 50 points to Canada’s 32, while the lead was only 46-43 in favor of the Americans – another area where the United States dominated until the final minutes of the game.

“I liked the second team and then the defense that increased our transition speed,” Kerr said. “They made some great plays defensively to really improve our offense. And that got us in the game.”

Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. announced it had removed Leonard (knee injury) and replaced him with Derrick White, who is expected to join the team in Abu Dhabi for practice and an exhibition game next week. And Kevin Durant, Team USA’s all-time leading scorer, did not participate in any team practices or games this week because of a left calf injury.

When they arrive in Las Vegas on Friday, the Americans have a roster of 12 All-Stars, 11 of whom are still current, and have a collective resume that rivals the Dream Team of 1992. In Paris, the group will once again make headlines. hot, but few in number. The first day was not without its challenges.

“It was obviously a tough decision and I know (Leonard) wanted to play, but it was one of those things where he wished us luck and told us he wanted us to get a gold medal,” Curry said of the process of making his first Olympic team. “We like that kind of support for someone in a tough situation. Hopefully, in the long run, he’s in a good position because this game needs him.”

Perhaps the brightest moment of the camp was the celebration of USA Basketball’s 50th anniversary on Tuesday. Many of the game’s attendees were seated around the court Wednesday night. Former President Barack Obama, who spoke at his anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Redeem architect Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski, NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, Gary Payton and Chauncey Billups and all-time veterans John Calipari and Jim Boeheim were among those taking the main seat.

🇮🇩 @usabasketball legend 🤝 pic.twitter.com/UWQNWBd2db

– FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 11, 2024

“Being a fan in the thick of it and seeing all the history of American basketball, men’s and women’s, all the people that played where we grew up, the great moments, the legendary moments and what shaped American basketball,” he said. “And then there’s President Obama, and he’s great on the microphone. … When he spoke, I was blown away by the people in the room.

Team USA will next face Australia at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Monday at noon ET. Canada’s next match is on July 19 against Olympic host France in Orleans, France.

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(Photo: Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images)