MANILA, Philippines — The New Zealand national team huddled at the opposite foul line from Team USA, then broke into a fiery rendition of the Kiwis' notable haka dance. It proved more than a series of elbow thrusts and ceremonial stomps. New Zealand punched the mighty Americans' square in their collective jaws to open Team USA's first game of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Saturday, commanding an early 14-4 lead over the presumptive tournament favorites.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 26: Paolo Banchero #8 of USA shoots the ball during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group C game between United States and New Zealand at Mall of Asia Arena on August 26, 2023 in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — The New Zealand national team huddled at the opposite foul line from Team USA, then broke into a fiery rendition of the Kiwis’ notable haka dance. It proved more than a series of elbow thrusts and ceremonial stomps.
But the American reserves, particularly the zippy playmaking from Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton, managed to reclaim the lead by the end of the opening quarter, took a nine-point advantage into intermission and blew the contest open in the third frame, thanks to a flurry of triples from backup big man Paolo Banchero — eventually capping“I love the way we responded,” Kerr said. “We feel like over 40 minutes, we can wear teams down. It’s hard to play that way, as physical as New Zealand was.
The American reserves had specialized in clamping down on opposing attacks and turning stops into offense throughout their five-game exhibition slate prior to the World Cup. The only true center among these 12 players is Rookie of the Year finalist and Utah Jazz 7-footer Walker Kessler, who is only expected to play limited minutes throughout this run in the Philippines. Jaren Jackson Jr.
Banchero was a force in the paint, rejecting four New Zealand shots throughout the contest, several of which sparked those runaway opportunities that Haliburton and Reaves were so eagerly hunting. And in the decisive third quarter stretch, Banchero came alive with the ball in his hands.
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