Joe Harris scores 3 in Team USA loss to Australia in Melbourne

Although he didn’t start, the Nets Joe Harris racked up 20 minutes Saturday in Team USA’s surprising 98-94 loss to Australia. Harris scored three points on 1-of-4 shooting, 1-of-3 from downtown. The 6’6” shooting guard also grabbed five rebounds and recorded a block in the exhibition game, played before 52,079 fans in Melbourne. It was the biggest crowd for any basketball game in the country’s history, topping Thursday’s game.

The Americans play in another exhibition game Monday in Sydney vs. Team Canada. The Team USA roster still must be cut by one before it arrives in China next week. The USA opens next Sunday vs. the Czech Republic in Shanghai ... in the same arena the Nets will play the Lakers in preseason.

The game was a case of one team wanting it more, as Kemba Walker said post-game. Donovan Mitchell’s three-pointer with 1:05 left got the US within 97-94, the Americans forced a stop on the ensuing possession and had two chances to tie, but Mitchell’s three-pointer was off, Joe Harris missed a corner three a few seconds later and the Boomers’ Patti Mills iced the game with a free throw.

Mills, who plays for the Spurs —and USA head coach Gregg Popovich, led Australia with 30, including the Boomers’ last 10 points.

Mitch Creek, who played with Harris last year on the Nets, had two points.

The fact that Harris has played at least 19 minutes in all four of USA’s four exhibition games —and was in there in the last seconds— bodes well for Harris, who is the most reliable deep shooter on the roster.

• Box Score: Australia 98, Team USA 94 - USA Basketball
• USA Men Suffer Setback In World Cup Tune-up, Fall To Australia 98-94 - USA Basketball
• Boomers upset USA in boilover - Roy Ward - Melbourne Age
• Streak ends: US men’s basketball falls to Australia, 98-94 - AP