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With his two main competitors upfront sitting out the entire game, Mason Plumlee again showed why his chances for a spot on the final Team USA roster look increasingly good. Plumlee scored nine points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field, 3-of-4 from the line to go along with four rebounds and three steals in 15 minutes as USA easily beat Brazil, 95-78.
Plumlee was one of four Team USA reserves who played more than 10 minutes for Coach Mike Krzyzewski, others being Rudy Gay, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving, none of them bigs. DeMarcus Cousins, who hurt his knee this week in practice, sat out the game as did Andre Drummond, who had a DNP-CD.
The Nets seven-footer distinguished himself on defense, again playing a vocal role as defensive anchor. On offense, he scored on putbacks and dunks. Anthony Davis led USA with 20 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, putting on a spectacular show in the process.
Jerry Colangelo has said the team could wait until the FIBA deadline of August 29 to make its final cuts. The World Cup starts the next day. The U.S. plays its next game, against the Dominican Republic, on Wednesday night before playing Puerto Rico on August 22, both at Madison Square Garden. Their final warm-up will be against Slovenia at Gran Canaria Arena in Spain on August 26.
- Team USA beats Brazil in Derrick Rose's return to United Center - Nick Friedell - ESPN Chicago
- Davis, Team USA Roll Over Brazil (Video) - ESPN