USA, Spain set to meet in a World Cup warmup
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The U.S. and Spain are facing off Friday night, a matchup of the two topranked basketball teams in the world and a possible precursor to a medal-round meeting next month at the World Cup.
That might sound exciting.
To the teams, not so much.
Both the Americans and the Spaniards are going into the game in Anaheim feeling the same way — that they are still in the formative stage, working out kinks on the way to setting a final roster. That’s why the teams also are making this much clear: What they show Friday won’t be what they’re hoping to show in China when the World Cup gets going.
“For sure, it won’t be on our side,” Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said. “We still have 14 players. Not all of our players are in 100 percent shape yet, and most of them are kind of in a load management in terms of their playing time. I think it’s going to be a nice game between good teams ... but the final product, not at all.”
Spain worked out Thursday at a high school in Playa Del Rey, while the Americans went through their last practice on U.S. soil back at the Los Angeles Lakers’ practice facility. It’s expected that the U.S. will have most of its 15 remaining players available Friday — Boston’s Marcus Smart (who did some on-court work Thursday) probably won’t play while he works his way back from a calf strain, and Denver’s Mason Plumlee left practice Thursday after his mouth got bloodied.
The Americans will leave for Australia on Saturday. The 12-man roster for China won’t be set when that plane takes off; the U.S. plan is to take at least 14 players to Australia for three exhibitions and at least three practices there, then set the final World Cup squad before heading to Shanghai around Aug. 28.
So Friday will be in part about evaluation, part about experience.
“We just want to get better,” U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said. “We’re trying to form a basketball team. So familiarity and camaraderie is important, understanding who they’re playing with, what each other does on the court, that’s all new to our guys. Understanding how we want to play and the system we think we need to play to win, just taking further steps hopefully without skipping any.”
The U.S. is ranked No. 1 in the world by basketball governing body FIBA, while Spain is ranked No. 2. Spain’s roster features Marc Gasol of the NBA champion Toronto Raptors, plus Phoenix guard Ricky Rubio and former NBA guard and longtime Spanish national-team standout Rudy Fernandez.
DURANT, GREEN VISIT
The U.S. practice Thursday had a couple of visitors — Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant and Golden State’s Draymond Green. Durant, the MVP of the 2010 World Cup gold-medal run for the U.S., milled about and addressed players. Green exchanged a warm hug with his Warriors coach and U.S. assistant, Steve Kerr.
PHOENIX — Evan Longoria had a 412-foot homer among his three hits and four RBIs, Dereck Rodriguez pitched seven strong innings in his first day back in the majors and the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 on Thursday night.
Longoria had a two-run single off Alex Young (4-3) in the first inning and hit a two-run homer off Young to cap a three-run fifth as the Giants pulled even with Arizona as both teams chase an NL wild-card spot.
Rodriguez (5-6) mixed three pitches and was in complete control, retiring the first 11 batters he faced before Eduardo Escobar lined a single to right field with two outs in the fourth inning.
Rodriguez gave up three hits, all singles, struck out four and walked one while matching his longest start of the season. He was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the day for his second start since June 30.
Longoria is hitting .350 in 10 games after missing the previous 19 with plantar fasciitis. He has five homers and 15 RBIs in 15 career games at Chase Field.
Austin Slater had three hits, scored twice, drove in a run and reached base all five times for the Giants (61-61), who have won four of five. He also made two stellar catches in the first inning.
Buster Posey had two hits and an RBI.
The Diamondbacks did not get a runner as far as second base and have lost two in a row after winning seven of 10.
Rookie left-hander Young gave up eight hits and five runs in five innings while losing his third straight. He beat the Giants 5-1 in his first career appearance June 27.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: RHP Johnny Cueto (Tommy John surgery) threw 49 pitches in 2 2/3 innings in his third rehab start at Class A San Jose on Thursday and is scheduled to throw 55-60 pitches in his next outing. “The way he is throwing, he will be pitching for us in September,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. . RHP Shaun Anderson (middle finger blister) threw a 35-pitch bullpen Thursday and is scheduled for another Saturday. He is eligible to return Monday. . OF Steven Duggar (left shoulder sprain) is to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to determine a course of treatment.
Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (right lower back spasm) was placed on the injured list Thursday after being forced out of his Wednesday start in Denver while warming up before the third inning. . RHP Stefan Crichton and RHP Jon Duplantier were recalled from Triple-A Reno on Thursday. OF Tim Locastro was optioned to Reno.