Almost Lost in 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The United States must go to great lengths to beat Turkey in the second match of the 2019 FIBA World Cup group stage in Shanghai, China, Tuesday (3/9) evening.
The United States team needs a round of overtime to win half a ball 93-92.
Turkey rose in the fourth quarter and earned 20 points to beat America 81-79 with Ersan Ilyasova’s push over Cedi Osman’s shot ball which almost failed to enter the basket with 12 seconds remaining, from the official FIBA website.
Unfortunately Osman then violated Jayson Tatum who was trying to shoot a three points buzzer-beater.
The ball did not enter, but the US got three free throws.
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Tatum is actually very likely to bring America to win the match but he can only score two points from three free throws he did.
So the final score of normal time was 81-81 and the match continue into the overtime round.
Turkey looked ahead in the early half of the 89-84 overtime when Melih Mahmutoglu fired a three points.
Kemba Walker packed five points to equalize and followed by a layup from Tatum to bring America back ahead 91-89 with one minute and 50 seconds remaining.
Turkey rise again and Osman successfully earn a three-point play when he strike layup and was violate in order to bring his team ahead again 92-91 with 50 seconds left.
They then get four free throw opportunities but Dogus Balbay and Osman fail to score a single point from that opportunity.
Ironically, with two seconds left, Bugrahan Tuncer violated Khris Middleton, who then fired two free throws to ensure the American victory 93-92.
Middleton ended up as the largest American contributor by 15 points, followed by Walker with 14 points, six rebounds and seven points.
Tatum with 11 points and 11 rebounds, Joe Harris and Myles Turner with 11 points each.
Harrison Barnes with 10 points and six rebounds.
In the stronghold of Turkey Ilyasova packed double points 23 points and 13 rebounds,
followed by 16 points Furkan Korkmaz, 15 points Osman and 12 points Scott Wilbekin.
These results make the US qualify for the second round armed with two victories after the first match also won over the Czech Republic 88-67, two days ago.
They step into Group K which is already inhabited by Brazil,
who have escaped from Group F and will close the first round against Japan.
While Turkey needs a victory when facing the Czech Republic in a match of life and death determine who has the right to accompany the US to 2nd round.
