 Iverson was mobbed after his winning shot |
Allen Iverson hit a winning three-pointer at the buzzer to earn the US men's basketball team a narrow 80-77 exhibition win over Germany. The US, still smarting from Tuesday's 95-78 drubbing by Italy, put in more effort but still struggled.
And the US were unable to stop Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, who led all scorers with 32 points.
"It'll be interesting to see how they do at the Olympics in Athens," Nowitzki said of the US team.
Nowitzki looked to have sent the contest into overtime with a spectacular three-point shot over two defenders to even the score at 77-77 with four seconds left in regulation.
But Iverson hit a last gasp shot from just inside midcourt at the buzzer to clinch the win.
The US team's loss to Italy - their worst defeat since NBA players started competing in 1992 - has removed the aura of invincibility that surrounded past US "Dream Teams".
It has also raised the prospects of a wide open Olympic basketball tournament in Athens.
MMIX
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