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Bobby Portis Jr. helps Team USA beat Slovenia and Spain

The Milwaukee Bucks forward has been a solid contributor for Team USA.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

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Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. had another efficient outing when Team USA routed Slovenia, 92-62, in their exhibition game in Malaga, Spain.

The workhorse Portis tallied eight points, five rebounds, and a steal as Team USA remain unbeaten after three exhibition games.

The Steve Kerr-coached Team USA is scheduled to play four more tune-up games as part of its buildup for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines.

Balanced attack

The Americans started their series of exhibition games with a 117-74 annihilation of Puerto Rico, with the 6-foot-11 Portis playing a key role in the win by contributing 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting, three rebounds, and an assist.

Against Slovenia, all 12 US players scored, with Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Paolo Banchero, Portis, and Brandon Ingram combining for 40 points. Slovenia was undermanned against Team USA as it opted to rest its main man Luka Doncic.

World Cup preparations continue

After Slovenia, Team USA played a close game versus  Spain and took a quality 98-88 win, as they are set to fly to the United Arab Emirates for a series of friendly games in Abu Dhabi. Portis contributed two points and three rebounds in the win versus the Spaniards.

The Americans will play Greece on August 18th and Germany on August 20th. The UAE sojourn will be Team USA’s final stage of its World Cup preparation as it will proceed to Manila, Philippines.

The U.S. is bracketed in Group C, together with Greece, New Zealand, and Jordan. The young American roster will start their campaign against New Zealand on August 26th, Greece on August 28th, and Jordan on August 30th.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.