In a win that the United States really looked to need ahead of the start of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, next week, Chicago Bulls star shooting guard Zach LaVine showed out in a big way. LaVine really responded well to an inconsistent start to this pre-Olympic circuit of exhibition games for the United States to round out the weekend.
Although he fouled out in the fourth quarter against the former FIBA World Cup gold medalists Spain on the night of July 18, LaVine was big for Team USA most of the way. LaVine was one of the United States players that scored in double figures in this 83-76 win over Spain in Las Vegas, NV, to end the weekend on a high note.
In this win over Spain, LaVine registered 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, no steals, no blocks, and one turnover. And he shot a solid 5-of-8 from the field, 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and he didn’t have any attempts from the free-throw line.
All of that production for LaVine came in just shy of 22 minutes on the floor prior to fouling out.
Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine continually rising for Team USA
It was largely some familiar faces that helped to spark the offense for the United States ahead of this trip to Tokyo next week. Superstar Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, and Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum were all big producers for Team USA against Spain.
But it was the likes of the newly added San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Keldon Johnson that joined LaVine, KD, and Lillard, as the US players that scored in double figures on this night.
You can’t overlook the efficiency of LaVine shooting the ball in this game for the United States. He was the lone player for this team that shot at least 50 percent from downtown when taking at least two attempts.
LaVine has to be making Bulls fans proud with the way he’s showed out in the last few games for the United States in this pre-Olympic circuit of exhibition matchups. It looks like his game will only continue to trend up from here heading to Tokyo.
This is a big win for the United States to get ahead of the start of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in less than one week. Next up for LaVine and the United States is the start of pool play in the Olympics, tipping off on July 25 against France.