Team World crush hosts in NBA Africa Game

NBA player DeMarcus Cousins from the New Orleans Pelicans slam dunks during the NBA Africa Game 2017 basketball match between Team Africa and Team World on August 5, 2017 in Johannesburg. PHOTO | MUJAHID SAFODIEN |

What you need to know:

  • Team World overcame Team Africa 108-97 before a 10,000 crowd.
  • Team World defeated Team Africa 101-97 at another, smaller Johannesburg venue two years ago.
  • A third game in Africa is scheduled for next year with many countries, apart from South Africa, keen to host it.

IN JOHANNESBURG

The highly anticipated revenge mission did not go as planned when some of the biggest names in the NBA clashed for the second time on African soil.

Team World trounced Team Africa 108-97 in a thrilling match held on Saturday night at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa during the second edition of NBA Africa Game.

The first time these two teams met in 2015, Team World won by four points and everyone expected the home team to beat their opponents before a sold out crowd and millions watching on television.

Team Africa was made up of Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors), Luol Deng (Los Angeles Lakers), Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), Thabo Sefolosha (Utah Jazz), Bismack Biyombo (Orlando Magic), Clint Capela (Houston Rockets) and Dennis Schroder (Atlanta Hawks).

Team World, captained by Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), was made up of DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans Pelicans), Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Kristaps Porzingis New York Knicks), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets), Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors) and CJ McCollum Portland Trail Blazers). Also present was NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

Team Africa was on the back foot from the start and this allowed Team World to take advantage and took a convincing lead outscoring Team Africa 33-19 in the first quarter.

The African team bounced back and were trailing by three at half time.

With minutes to go in the fourth quarter, it looked like Team Africa were ready to take over but sloppy turnovers stopped that momentum and allowed the visitors to bully them on their own court.

MUDIAY STARS

Pacers guard Oladipo, who top scored for Team Africa with 28 points, was named the Most Valuable Player.

Mudiay was on a triple-double watch but the buzzer went before he could make it a reality. He had 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

Drummond was the star for Team World with 14 points followed by Cousins.

“We came up short and we really wanted to win for the fans but we are happy they got to watch the game and loved the energy tonight,” said Angola’s Clint Capella, who plays for the Houston Rockets.

Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry was happy with the Basketball Without Borders program and what it was doing to help the needy and also nurture talent in the continent.

The NBA superstars were in South Africa for a week.