TEAM USA BASKETBALL: THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EXHIBITION WIN OVER CANADA

ESPN

 Ahead of its quest for a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, Team USA's men's basketball team began its exhibition schedule Wednesday night with an 86-72 win over Canada in Las Vegas.

On the day guard Derrick White replaced forward Kawhi Leonard on the 12-man roster, Team USA hit the court against a talented Canada team projected to medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Following a slow start -- including missing its first six shots -- the Americans clicked in the second quarter as the Canadians went cold from the field. Team USA outscored Canada 16-2 in the paint in the second and carried a 41-33 lead into half.

Despite a run from Canada out of halftime, the U.S. extended its lead throughout the end of the third quarter and the fourth. Four Americans finished in double-digit scoring with Anthony Edwards leading the way with 13 points. Anthony Davis recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Barrett led Team Canada with 12 points.

Team USA will now turn its attention to Australia on Monday when the teams meet in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Before then, what were the biggest takeaways from the win over Canada?

1. Team USA's performance against Canada was _____.

Tim Bontemps: Very encouraging. Team USA did not play well at all -- it committed 17 turnovers and generally looked disjointed, particularly on the offensive side. And yet, Team USA cruised to a double-digit victory over one of its two biggest challengers for the gold medal next month (the other being France). On top of all that, Joel Embiid -- who is still ramping back up after playing through a knee injury in the NBA playoffs -- looked like he had a healthy amount of rust to knock off. This game only reinforces how clearly Team USA is favored over the rest of the field in Paris.

Bobby Marks: A good test. Nothing against Cooper Flagg and the select team, but playing in front of a sellout crowd against a Canadian team featuring Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks was a good test. Team USA did treat the game like an All-Star Sunday, but it seemed like a preview of what should be expected in France.

Dave McMenamin: A blueprint to follow for when the games matter. So long as the U.S. defends and gets out in transition, the fact that this roster had so little time to coalesce ahead of the Olympics shouldn't matter -- it held Canada to 33.7% shooting while racking up 11 steals and 9 blocked shots. By creating so many running opportunities, shot distribution wasn't an issue -- all 10 players who got in took at least four shots, and no player attempted more than 10.

Ohm Youngmisuk: Better than expected. Canada is a formidable opponent with Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray. It would have totally been expected and understandable if Team USA came out rusty after convening a few days before, but it flashed plenty of potential -- offense, defense, size and versatility. We didn't get to see an opponent test Team USA inside because of Canada's lack of size. And it will be interesting to see how the U.S. adjusts when defenses take Stephen Curry's outside shooting away and some of its stars fall into foul trouble (like Embiid fouling out late in the fourth quarter). But for the first outing, Team USA should be pleased.

2. Anthony Edwards' claim as Team USA's No. 1 option was _____.

Bontemps: Something no one with Team USA was concerned with nor took seriously. Edwards said he was happy to come off the bench during that same media session. He looked terrific Wednesday playing as part of a second unit featuring Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum that seemed like it would be a real asset if coach Steve Kerr sticks with it. Edwards already is well known for making bombastic comments, and this was just another one. As Adebayo said Sunday, "Everyone on this team is a No. 1 option."

Marks: Not surprising. Anytime Edwards steps on the court there is a strong belief that he is the best player. The same confidence and swagger he had in the playoff series wins over the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets was on full display in the first half. Team USA came out of the gates disorganized, and it was Edwards' energy along with the second unit that erased an 11-1 start by Canada. Team USA has at least five No. 1 options on this roster, and whether Edwards is starting or coming off the bench, he should be considered one of them.

McMenamin: Missing context. Before Edwards made the declaration, he was asked about the role change in being the Wolves' go-to guy and then likely coming off the bench for Team USA. His point was that just because he might have a substitute spot in the rotation, that doesn't mean it will come with the mindset of demotion. So long as he is on the floor -- no matter the teammates, opponent or location -- Edwards will play with supreme confidence.

Youngmisuk: Him expressing confidence in his skills. Edwards might be the most athletic player on Team USA, and he will almost certainly provide the most electric highlights of the Olympics. He will get shots up, but when games get tight and Team USA needs scoring, especially outside scoring, I still believe Curry will be Kerr's go-to option. The U.S. will need Curry's outside shooting in FIBA-style basketball, and Embiid's ability to be a mismatch also could be a primary option.

3. How will Kawhi Leonard's absence impact Team USA in Paris?

Bontemps: This is nothing against Leonard, one of the best two-way wings of his generation, but I don't anticipate it being that big of an issue. That just speaks to the wealth of talent at coach Steve Kerr's disposal. Team USA now doesn't have Leonard -- but it still has Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards to play on the wings. And it can play any of its three centers -- Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo -- together. Plus, Derrick White is an elite perimeter defender and an excellent off-ball offensive player. In short? This team should be just fine.

Marks: I was surprised Leonard was chosen considering the knee issues he has incurred over his career, including a season-ending right knee injury in the LA Clippers' first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard is an MVP candidate when healthy, but it is hard to see what impact he would have had, especially if there were a minutes restriction in place. The positive is that Grant Hill, managing director for Team USA, quickly found a replacement.

McMenamin: As we learned through Kobe Bryant's impact on the Redeem Team, there's power in a superstar at that level pouring all of his effort into being a defensive stopper and that being contagious throughout the team. Leonard -- one of the fiercest defenders the league has ever seen -- could have filled that role for this team had he been healthy. So, yes, it's a loss. But the choice to replace him with White was pitch perfect. White might not have the stature of a two-time Finals MVP like Leonard, but based on what we've seen from White in Boston, he'll have no problem making defense his top priority.

Youngmisuk: When Leonard is healthy, he is one of the best two-way players in the world. His ability to score from the midrange over any defender, shoot the 3 and then be a lockdown defender with size would have been invaluable. The two-time NBA Finals MVP was never going to be at his peak considering the inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. White's defense on smaller and quick guards and ability to switch will help ease the loss of Leonard, while helping Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards and Bam Adebayo as the team's best defenders. There are going to be games when Team USA needs someone who can stop penetration and cool down a hot opponent while also hitting 3s, though.

4. What should be the starting lineup for Team USA?

Bontemps: Four of the five spots in Wednesday's opener should stay that way for the duration: Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Curry, James and Embiid are the three locks to start; Holiday, arguably the best perimeter defender on the planet, can then guard the opposition's top playmaker while being a fantastic connector offensively. As for the fifth spot, my guess is it's Kevin Durant (currently hurt with a calf injury) who eventually gets the nod over Jayson Tatum (who arrived at camp late).

Marks: I am not going to overreact and say Steve Kerr should shake up the lineup just because of the slow start against Canada. I am sticking with four of Wednesday's starting five (Holiday, Curry, James and Embiid) and replacing Devin Booker with Anthony Edwards. If Team USA does face France in the medal round, Kerr can counter Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert with Embiid and Anthony Davis.

McMenamin: Start with James, Curry and Durant (once he recovers from his calf strain) for obvious reasons. They are the three best players of their generation, and this is their first -- and most likely only -- time teaming up together in the Olympics. Then group them with the two most versatile defenders left on the roster: Holiday in the backcourt and Davis in the frontcourt. Holiday takes the opposing player's principle ball handler; Davis is tasked with patrolling the paint.

Youngmisuk: Holiday, Curry, Tatum, James and Embiid make a lot of sense. Holiday can take on the opposing team's best offensive perimeter threat and help with all the little things, such as offensive rebounding, as well. Curry's outside shooting will be crucial for Team USA's success. Until Durant is able to come back healthy, Tatum should be the starter alongside James. And Embiid can anchor the interior with Davis splitting minutes with him at center off the bench.

- ESPN

CELTICS BEAT MAVS IN GAME 3

 DALLAS -- For a few minutes in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, it looked like the Boston Celtics' bad habits would come back to haunt them.

The Dallas Mavericks, who appeared finished when they trailed by 21 points with 10 minutes to go, roared back with a 22-2 run, putting Boston's lead in peril and threatening to make this a series.

But just when things looked their bleakest, the Celtics flipped the script, holding Dallas to one field goal over a five-minute span, and claimed a 106-99 victory for a 3-0 series lead.

Boston is one win away from a record-setting 18th NBA championship -- one the Celtics can capture Friday in Game 4 here at American Airlines Center.

"Experience is the best teacher," said Jaylen Brown, who finished with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in 41 minutes. "All year long we've been hearing about the Celtics are the past, for the last six to eight months, that's all we've been hearing is all the different shortcomings we've had in the past.

"This is a new team, you know what I mean. We've learned from those experiences. And in these moments, you can see that we learned from it. We stepped up to the plate, and we found a way to win."

It looked like Boston had found a way much earlier, having responded to a 25-12 spurt by the Mavericks over the opening seven minutes -- a run that saw Kyrie Irving, who finished with 35 points after combining for 28 in the two games in Boston, get going for the first time in the series. The Celtics' 79-45 burst over roughly the next 29 minutes allowed them to take a commanding 91-70 lead with 11:07 remaining.

At that point, Dallas appeared to be staring at another loss despite Boston's Kristaps Porzingis sitting out Game 3 and his status in doubt moving forward because of an unusual tendon injury in his left leg sustained in Game 2.

But just as quickly as Boston had established control, Dallas rediscovered itself. As Boston went 1-for-11 and committed three turnovers over the next 7:57, Dallas pulled to within 93-92 on an Irving layup with 3:37 remaining despite playing without Luka Doncic, who fouled out a few seconds earlier. However, things started to swing back in Boston's direction, as a Brown putback of a Jayson Tatum miss was followed by a Derrick White 3-pointer and a Tatum dunk, pushing the Celtics' lead back to six points.

"Yeah, I think just we had some turnovers, which allowed them to get out in transition," White said. "And just a couple of things that we've been doing really well, we kind of just let go of the rope for however many minutes that was. It seemed like, what, two minutes, they cut it to two, three or something.

"It happened quick, and we just settled back down. Understand it's a game of runs, and we just trust what we do."

In the past, it might have been a moment when the Celtics let go of the rope and allowed Dallas to close the game out. But Boston persevered and improved to 7-0 on the road in these playoffs. It is 21-7 on the road over the past three postseasons -- the best winning percentage over a three-year span in NBA history, breaking a tie with the 1991 to 1993 Chicago Bulls.

And the Celtics did it by getting contributions from across the board. Backup center Xavier Tillman stepped into the rotation and played 11 impactful minutes, hitting a corner 3, grabbing 4 rebounds and recording 2 blocks, including one against Doncic. Sam Hauser went 3-for-4 from 3-point range and was a game-high plus-16 off the bench after going 0-for-5 from 3 in Game 2.

And Tatum, after going 6-for-22 in Game 2, finished with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists as he and Brown combined for 61 points. The Celtics are within one victory of moving ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for all-time league titles.

But after the Celtics were down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference finals last year and forced a Game 7 against the Miami Heat, Boston knows the job isn't done.

"Honestly, not too difficult from the standpoint of last year [when] we were down 0-3 in the conference finals, and we really felt like we were going to come back," Tatum said. "We almost did. You know, we were [my] sprained ankle away from having a real shot.

"So, you know, we are not relaxing or anything like that. You know, not even focusing on winning or Friday or whatever. However long it takes, that's our motto. However long it takes, that's what it's going to take, and nobody is not trying to relax at all."

- Tim Bontemps, ESPN

CELTICS BEAT MAVERICKS 105-98, TAKE 2-0 LEAD IN NBA FINALS AS SERIES HEADS TO DALLAS

AP

 BOSTON (AP) — Jrue Holiday led the scoring. Derrick White added a chase-down block. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown pitched in, too — with their passing and defense.

The Mavericks can stop worrying about who Boston's best player is. Everyone is contributing to the Celtics' quest for an unprecedented 18th NBA championship.

Holiday had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and White sprinted down the court to swat away the Mavericks' last chance on Sunday night as Boston beat Dallas 105-98 to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

Tatum made up for a rough shooting night with 12 assists and nine rebounds to go with his 18 points. Brown scored 21 with three steals, White had 18 points and three steals, and Payton Pritchard’s only basket of the game was a banked half-courter to beat the third quarter buzzer and give Boston an 83-74 lead.

“That’s why they are the No. 1 team in the NBA with the No. 1 record,” said Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who scored 32 with 11 rebounds and 11 assists — the first NBA Finals triple-double in Dallas franchise history. “They have a lot of great players. Basically, anybody can get off.”

Doncic, who was listed as questionable to play less than two hours before the opening tipoff, had his 10th career playoff triple-double. But he scored only three points in the fourth, converting a three-point play with 1:15 left as Dallas scored nine in a row to cut a 14-point deficit to 103-98.

After Derrick Jones Jr. blocked Tatum's dunk attempt, White ran down the court, joining with Brown to block P.J. Washington's potential dunk. Brown made a layup at the other end, and then Doncic missed a one-footed, running floater from 3-point range with 28 seconds left, ending Dallas' last chance at a comeback.

“It’s not all on him. It’s a team,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said of Doncic, who had been battling chest, knee and ankle injuries. “He put us in a position. He was really good tonight. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get over the hump. We’ve got to find someone to join Luka and (Kyrie Irving) in that scoring category.”

AP

Games 3 and 4 are Wednesday and Friday in Dallas; Boston has not lost on the road this postseason. It was the ninth time the Celtics have won the opening pair in the NBA Finals: They have won the previous eight, and have never been forced to a Game 7 in any of them.

A day after Kidd attempted to sow dissension in the Celtics locker room by calling Brown — not Tatum, an All-NBA first-teamer — the team's best player, Boston showed why it doesn't matter. The two All-Stars combined to make 2 of 12 3-point attempts, but filled up the box score in other ways.

“How they play together is sacred, and something that can’t be broken,” Holiday said. "I don’t prefer one or the other, I prefer both. Because they’re both superstars, and they're showing it on the biggest stage in the world.”

Kristaps Porzingis limped his way to 12 points for top-seeded Boston. Tatum was 6 for 22 shooting and 1 of 7 from 3-point range; the Celtics were 10 for 39 from long distance overall.

“I’m really tired of hearing about one guy or this guy or that guy and everybody trying to make it out to be anything other than Celtic basketball,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “Everybody that stepped on that court today made winning plays on both ends of the floor.”

Unlike their 107-89 victory in Game 1, when Boston went 7 for 15 from 3-point range in the first quarter to sprint to a 17-point lead, the Celtics missed their first eight attempts from long range on Sunday. Dallas led the entire first quarter.

AP

Tatum was scoreless in the first and had only five at halftime, when he was still 0 for 3 from 3-point range. Boston was still just 5 for 30 from long distance when Pritchard banked in a half-courter at the third-quarter buzzer to give Boston an 83-74 lead.

That excited the crowd, which previously had spent most of its time serenading Irving with boos — and semi-vulgar chants. Before the game, the scoreboard showed Irving's postgame quote from Game 1, where he said he thought the crowd would be louder.

The fans roared.

Irving, who scored 16 points, has lost 12 games in a row against the Celtics.

“A little disappointed in myself not being able to convert a lot more of my opportunities in the lane,” he said. “My teammates look for me to convert a lot of shots and lessen the burden not only on Luka but the entire team.”

- JIMMY GOLEN

CELTICS COMPLETE SWEEP OF PACERS, PUNCH TICKET TO FINALS

USA TODAY Sports 

 Derrick White had missed 7 of 8 3-point attempts when he found himself open in the right corner of the floor in the final minute of a tie game with an NBA Finals berth at stake.

He watched Jaylen Brown handle the ball and was just waiting for his Boston Celtics teammate to deliver a pass. Once Brown did just that, it was White's turn to make a play.

"Just was trusting that JB is going to make the right play like he has this entire year," White said. "I got a good look and wanted to stay in the shot and knock it down."

White drained the 3-pointer with 45 seconds left and the Celtics finished off a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals with a 105-102 victory on Monday night at Indianapolis.

"It's a credit to him," Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said of White. "He's another guy who has short-term memory. The last (missed) shot doesn't bother him, he plays with a sense of presence."

Brown scored 29 points and Jayson Tatum added 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the top-seeded Celtics landed a spot in the Finals for the second time in the past three seasons.

"It's been nothing but a grind," Brown said. "We didn't skip no steps all season. We have a bunch of great guys in this locker room. We have a bunch of tough guys and our coaching staff and front office has been great. Now we want to take it to the next step."

Andrew Nembhard had 24 points and a playoff career-high 10 assists for the sixth-seeded Pacers, who lost in the East finals for the eighth time in nine trips. Indiana's only victory was over the New York Knicks in 2000.

Boston overcame a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter while once again playing better basketball down the stretch.

A defensive breakdown by the Pacers left White standing alone in the right corner on the decisive shot. Brown, who was named the MVP of the series, spotted him and his pinpoint pass was on the mark, and White's shot swished through the net.

Nembhard missed a 3-pointer with 33.6 seconds left and Tatum got the rebound. Indiana decided not to foul, and Tatum missed a trey with 8.3 seconds remaining. But Jrue Holiday collected the offensive rebound with 4.7 seconds left, and the Celtics ran out the clock.

It was Boston's second straight comeback win in Indianapolis. The Celtics overcame an eight-point deficit with 2:38 left in Game 3 to post a 114-111 victory. Boston trailed by as many as 18 in that contest.

"We never say die," Tatum said. "These were some tough games we had to play in, and we always find a way to figure it out. It's different guys every single night and we sacrifice in order to reach our ultimate goal."

Holiday had 17 points and nine rebounds and White added 16 points, five steals and three blocked shots for the Celtics, who will face either the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves in the Finals.

Pascal Siakam had 19 points and 10 rebounds and T.J. McConnell added 15 points for Indiana. Aaron Nesmith scored 14 points and Obi Toppin added 12.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) missed his second straight game.

"The level of fight was tremendous all the way through this," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said of his team. "Circumstance never fazes them one way or the other. They were in this to win every possession that they could and any game that they could.

"A lot of respect to our players and how they conducted themselves in the series."

The Celtics shot 44.9 percent from the field, including 14 of 44 from 3-point range.

Indiana made 46 percent of its shot attempts and was 10 of 29 from behind the arc.

McConnell scored six points in 64 seconds early in the fourth quarter to give the Pacers an 89-82 lead. A three-point play by Nembhard made it 94-85 with 8:57 remaining.

After Boston moved within four, Nesmith made back-to-back baskets to give Indiana a 98-90 lead with 5:56 to go.

The Celtics answered with an 8-2 run, moving within 100-98 on Holiday's three-point play with 3:54 remaining.

Brown's runner tied the score at 102 with 2:40 left.

Tatum scored 16 points before halftime as Boston led 58-57 at the break. Nembhard also tallied 16 points in the first half.

The Pacers took an 83-80 advantage into the final stanza but were outplayed by Boston down the stretch of a close game for the third time in the series. Indiana lost Game 1 in overtime.

"It's hard because I think when you look at all those games, we were right there," Siakam said. "It stings and it's hard because I know how hard we work.

"It's heartbreaking losses after heartbreaking losses. ... It doesn't matter how good we played. We didn't get it done."

- Reuters