USA-Spain Exhibition: Team USA Wins, 86-85, On Last-Second Durant Block

Via Ben Golliver of our own Blazersedge.

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.

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.

It was the best quarter Spain has played in their exhibition with Team USA in Madrid. It wasn't even enough to reduce the lead to single digits by quarter's end.

Though a few nice plays by Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, and Juan Carlos Navarro sparked a run that cut the Americans' advantage to one possession, Team USA finished the quarter up 69-58.

That's largely due to the efforts of Stephen Curry, who pickpocketed Rubio once and scored on consecutive possessions, and a fleet lineup (including Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, and Kevin Durant) deployed in the last minute or so.

Also of note: Fran Vasquez, taken in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Magic in 2005, had dunks on consecutive possessions for Spain.

Team USA leads 45-33 after the first half of its exhibition against Spain, thanks to some tough defense by the USA, sloppy play by both sides, and poor shooting by Spain.

The Americans used their length and speed to make jump shots and cuts difficult for Spain, and the Spaniards appeared reluctant to drive and create better shots, often settling for long jumpers.

Both teams had problems holding onto the ball, committing seven turnovers each in the first half.

Juan Carlos Navarro wasn't part of the Spaniards' offensive struggles. He hit a pair of threes in the quarter, including a one-legged runner, and knifed into the lane late to hit a tough lay-up. He leads all scorers with 11 points.