The United States of America survived four missed foul shots with under 10 seconds left in overtime to beat Turkey 93-92 t improve to 2-0 and take control of Group E at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Turkey leading 81-79 with 11 seconds left in regulation fouled Jayson Tatum behind the three-point line with .1 seconds left on the clock. Tatum connected on 2-of-3 free-throws to send the game into overtime.
Turkey took opened up a 89-84 lead in overtime and had the USA dead in the water. Leading 92-91 with 9 seconds left and ball in the USA’s possession. Turkey forced a turnover from Myles Turner and an ensuing Joe Harris foul to stop the clock was deemed unsportsmanlike, giving Turkey two free-throws plus possession of the ball.
Turkey’s Dogus Balbay stepped to the line and missed the two freebies. The USA fouled Cedi Osman on the inbounds pass — sending the Cleveland Cavaliers guard to the line with just 9 seconds remaining.
Osman, a NBA career 73.6% free-throw shooter missed both foul shots. Jayson Tatum ended-up with the rebound after a fight for the ball and pushed it down the floor, finding a streaking Khris Middleton who was hammered with 2 seconds remaining in overtime
Middleton, calmly stepped up to the line, and buried both foul shots to give the USA the improbable 93-92 win over a tough Turkey squad.
Kemba Walker came on late and scored 14 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds. Jayson Tatum finished with a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds. Khris Middleton 15 points, 2 rebounds. Myles Turner 11 points, 9 rebounds. Harrison Barnes 10 points 6 rebounds. Joe harris 11 points, 5 rebounds and Donovan Mitchell 9 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Turkey’s Ersan Ilyasova finished with a game-high 23 points, 14 rebounds. Melih Mahmutoglu 18 points, 2 rebounds. Furkan Korkmaz 16 points, 4 rebounds and Cedi Osman 15 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks.
USA (2-0) will wrap-up Group E action with a tilt against Japan (0-2) leaving Turkey (1-1) to fight for their World Cup lives in a match-up against upstart Czech Republic (1-1).
