USA – Greece

Friendly Game
Abu Dhabi, August 18, 18:00 CET

Without injured NBA superstar Janis Adetokumba in the lineup, Greece basketball team even looks like one of the worse European squads that will compete in the World Cup this summer.
First of all, it seems that the team of the famous Euroleague coach Dimitris Itoudis is playing worse and worse offensively, as the preparations for the appearance at the planet's championship are coming to an end. On Friday, the ultimate test awaits the Greeks – a duel against the USA team, which is playing fantastically, even beyond expectations during these preparations.
In the previous two duels, the Greeks not only disappointed - but showed obvious limits when it comes to attacking play. Against Italy, which usually allows a faster game and gives rivals chances to score in a series, they were defeated 74:70 in the match played on August 10. In the opening three parts of the match, the selection of Greece scored only 46 points.
Before that, in a game against a weakened Serbia at home, Greece also failed and was defeated 71:64 in Athens on August 8. The two victories over Slovenia at the beginning of August are not a reflection of real quality, because it was about the combined rotations for both national teams at the beginning of the preparatory period.
On the other hand, the American team, led by NBA legend and coach of the famous Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr, did not impress only when it comes to the offensive game. The Americans have shown that they are extremely ready to play top defense. This was especially evident in the victories over Puerto Rico 117:74 (match played on August and against Slovenia (92:62).
In the last test before the match with Greece on Friday in Abu Dhabi, the American national team defeated Spain away from home in Malaga 98:88. The European and current world champion Spain was reduced to only 16 points in the last quarter, on their court... This is the best testimony to the form in which the extremely athletically dominant American team is. And to what extent the Americans are ready to play serious basketball. And Spain shares a similar game philosophy to Greece, they also don't have a dominant shooting option - but individually they are a much better team than Greece.
The Americans have shown so far that they know how to find a way to use all 12 NBA players. Key offensive options are guard Brunson, as well as forwards Jackson and Ingram. So far, Steve Kerr's team has shown that they can prevent the opponent's tall players from finding positions for easy points under the hoop. So it is certain that they will know how to hinder the main options in Greece's attack.
The basketball public in Greece does not expect anything at the upcoming World Cup from the national team, which is in the process of rejuvenation. And this match in Abu Dhabi is an ideal opportunity for the Americans to reduce a solid opponent to an extremely small number of points scored.