Team USA picked up another double-digit win in their second exhibition game in advance of the 2012 London Olympic Games. But unlike the blow out win against the Dominican Republic in Las Vegas, Coach K's team faced a much tougher test on Monday night at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, DC. USA clinched an 80-69 win over Brazil but it certainly wasn't always pretty.
Brazil has one of the better frontcourts in international basketball with Nene, Tiago Splitter, and Anderson Varejao all creating havoc in the paint. Team USA started slowly, with a combination of missed shots and turnovers leading to a double-digit deficit in the first quarter.
USA would work their way back into it and hold a lead for the entire second half, but the Brazilians did not go quietly -- at one point, going on an 8-2 run to cut things to six with under six minutes to play. But there was simply too much talent playing for the gold-medal favorites, and Miami's LeBron James dominated when called upon. James led all scorers with 30 points while also grabbing six rebounds. Kevin Durant, who busted out against the DR in the first exhibition game, added 11 points.
Team USA will now head to the United Kingdom for the third of their five-game exhibition tour. They will play Great Britain on July 19 at Manchester Arena.
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