Team USA will continue to get ready for the Rio Olympics by facing one of their Group A opponents in surprising Venezuela at the United Center in Chicago on Friday
USA vs. Venezuela 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch USMNT online
Team USA continues to get ready for the Olympics by playing an exhibition game against an opponent they will have to face in Rio.
The fourth of six exhibition games scheduled will be played on July 29 at 8 p.m. ET. It will be televised by NBA TV and will be available to stream on the USA Basketball Facebook page.
Venezuela unexpectedly punched its ticket to the games by winning the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for the first time in the country's history, edging out regional powers Argentina and Canada, among others. After easily dispatching Argentina and China, however, it's hard to imagine Mike Krzyzewski's squad struggling to beat an opponent that lacks NBA talent outside of point guard Greivis Vasquez, who will miss the games due to injury.
The game should allow Team USA to try different lineups as it gears up for its quest for the gold medal. So far, the U.S. hasn’t been challenged, and that’s unlikely to happen until deep into the tournament, if at all. Still, figuring out combinations that work is still important. Going against a direct rival will provide Coach K with a chance to experiment with his rotations and hopefully find units that thrive without the top players, allowing them to rest.
In all likelihood, the game will be over by halftime and Team USA will get to put on a show. The players have been having fun while blowing out opponents -- a little too much fun for Krzyzewski's taste. Coach K asked his players to tone down their antics following the second game against China, in which DeMar DeRozan tried to throw down a 360 dunk over a defender.
It’s understandable for the coach to try to keep his players focused, but with the difference in talent they will have in most games, it will be hard to resist the temptation to go for highlights.
So make sure to tune in, because you might see something special.
USA vs. Venezuela info
Place: United Center
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: NBA TV
Streaming: USA Basketball Facebook
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