Team USA needed a foul with 0.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, four missed free throws in overtime that will go down in infamy in Turkish basketball history, and a few fortunate bounces to avoid a loss in the FIBA World Cup Tuesday.
But the U.S. also needed heroics, poise, togetherness and luck to put together a 93-92 win over Turkey to extend its winning streak to 44 games in major competitions and assure itself of advancing to the event’s second round.
Khris Middleton was a hero, making two free throws with 2.1 seconds left in OT to get the win. He was set up on the play by Jayson Tatum, who made 2-of-3 free throws at the end of regulation to extend the game, even as Tatum rolled and sprained his left ankle after making the vital pass that ended up with Middleton drawing a foul.
( story courtesy of ESPN )