Spain gave Team USA all it could, tying the game at 80 with just over two minutes to go, taking their first lead on a lay-up seconds later, and retaking the lead on a three-point play by Juan Carlos Navarro in the final minute. But Spain didn’t have Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant.
USA-Spain Exhibition, Final: Durant, Rose Combine To Pull Out 86-85 Win In Final Minute
Rose breezed through the lane for a lay-up to erase one deficit, then hit two free throws with 16.9 seconds remaining to give Team USA an 86-85 lead. Then, on Spain’s final possession, Durant pestered Ricky Rubio and blocked a potential game-winning three by Rudy Fernandez at the buzzer.
The kids, as they say, are all right.
Durant also led all scorers with 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
This was the Americans’ final exhibition game before the 2010 FIBA World Championship begins this week. Team USA will play Greece on Thursday, and must cut one player, likely Clippers guard Eric Gordon, to get to a 12-man roster.
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