Anthony Edwards jokes about lotion screwing his start, reacts to Bo Cruz's overseas move / News - Basketnews.com

Anthony Edwards had three turnovers in the first quarter but made a strong comeback, leading Team USA to their first victory in the FIBA World Cup against New Zealand.

The first play: a traveling call. Opening six minutes: three turnovers by Anthony Edwards.

USA / Schedule

USA New Zealand99-72 Greece USAMon12:40 USA JordanWed08:40

Zero points, zero field goals, and a challenging first quarter, which put Team USA behind New Zealand by ten early in the opening FIBA World Cup match.

The entire US team turned the ball over six times in the first seven minutes of the game.

When Mikal Bridges missed the first free throw with Team USA trailing 4-14, having only managed to make 2 out of 7 field goals and committing four turnovers within the first 5 minutes of the game, almost 11,000 fans let out a sigh of disappointment.

This was quite a contrast from the showtime basketball that the Filipino fans had eagerly come to witness at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"For me, the ball was just slipping out of my hands. I don't know why," Edwards said, scratching his head and smiling.

"First game, get the jiggers out. Get used to the court. Get used to the ball. We've figured it out in the second half. We should be fine now," he added.

Edwards quickly responded. He engaged in a heated discussion with one of the referees when the Minnesota Timberwolves guard argued for the and one play. However, he bounced back with 8 points in the second quarter, helping USA secure a halftime lead of 45-36.

"I wasn't really worrying about a slow start. I was trying to figure out how to get myself more. It didn't really matter to me. As long as we've won, I don't really care," said Edwards, who scored 14 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, provided 3 assists, but also committed 5 turnovers in 24 minutes of action.

"I think because I put a lot of lotion right before the game, I was f*cked up. But I'll be alright, I'll be good,"he chuckled, trying to explain the high number of turnovers.

Paolo Banchero

Position:PFAge:20Height:208 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Did the entire Team USA use the same lotion before the jump ball?

"I think everybody pretty much used the same lotion. But we'll be alright, we'll figure it out," he grinned again.

And they indeed did.

Reaves stepped up with effectiveness and remarkable plays, Paolo Banchero contributed 12 points in the third quarter, and Team USA dominated the second half 54-36.

"I loved it! I told Paolo every day since we got together. Be you, be yourself. Go out there and play your game. He did it tonight, he showed. He was the best player on the floor," Edwards praised Banchero, who concluded the game with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks in less than 19 minutes.

Team USA are facing Greece on Monday, but Edwards is not yet familiar with their potential game plan.

"How we're going to approach the game? That's up to coach Kerr, coach Spoelstra, and Ty Lue. We have no clue. We just know how to go out and play hard, and they give us the game plans, and we follow it."

He wasn't sure how to comment on whether it would have been a greater challenge for Team USA to defeat Greece if Giannis Antetokounmpo had been present. Nonetheless, he warmly acknowledged Juancho Hernangomez's transition from the NBA to Europe, referencing their past rivalry in The Hustle.

"That's dope. I'm super excited for him. He got a lot of games, so that's dope," he said.

Edwards doesn't overly concern himself with others but knows the most significant number for him and Team USA.

"Seven more to go. We're doing pretty good," he summarized the first FIBA World Cup win by Team USA.

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