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A North American showdown between the United States and Canada heralds the USA Basketball Showcase (exhibition games to be played over two weeks in preparation for the 2024 Olympics in Paris) tonight in Las Vegas.
> Framed score: United States 86, Canada 72
The United States and Canada last met exactly 10 months ago in the bronze medal game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Canada won in an overtime mystery.
Squad: Team Canada will bring most of its World Cup squad back to the Olympics, with notable additions such as Jamal Murray, Trey Lyles and Andrew Nembhard. Canada brings to the Olympics the last NBA players (10) from each and every country outside of the United States.
By contrast, Team USA returns just two players from its World Cup team, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, while adding 10 NBA All-Stars, led by 4 former NBA MVPs. league: LeBron James (4x), Steph Curry (2x), Kevin Durant and Joel. Embiide.
Early Test: With NBA skill and a top point of team continuity, Canada is a fake check for Team USA. When Americans take the field for the first time as a unit this summer.