For the second time ever, Africa hosted what’ll likely become a traditional exhibition game featuring NBA players in Johannesburg on Saturday. Team World took the victory the last time the two teams met in 2015, and won in a closely contested 108-97 battle this year as well.
The game was tight entering the final few minutes, but Raptors guard Kyle Lowry scored a couple of key buckets down the stretch to extend Team World’s lead and seal the victory.
LOWRY TIME.#NBAAfricaGame pic.twitter.com/bJXhLtUCUp
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 5, 2017
Team World 108 – Team Africa 97
Bragging rights go to, @Klow7. #WeTheNorth | #NBAAfricaGame pic.twitter.com/JYNloUXvi5
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 5, 2017
“I just didn’t want to let us lose,” Lowry said postgame, laughing. “We got too much pride over there on Team World.”
While only a friendly exhibition, a game organized for reasons past the game of basketball, the players became more competitive and the effort level noticeably increased as the game moved along.
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown put on a show to help Team World in the second half.
Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) with the crossover and acrobatic finish at the rim!#NBAAfricaGame
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/IuRXtFvzq3— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) August 5, 2017
This year’s event was put on in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, UNICEF, and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa.
A half court contest broke out in the middle of the event, where each player was given one shot to potentially earn $60,000 for SOS Village. Kemba Walker, Luc Mbah a Moute and Thabo Sefolosha each connected to help raise the money.
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo scored 28 points for Team Africa and was named Manute Bol Most Valuable Player of the game.
