USA vs South Sudan: LeBron James helps US avoid upset in Olympics warm-up

LeBron James saved the U.S. from what would have been a stunning loss.

James’ layup with 8 seconds left was the go-ahead basket Saturday, and the U.S. Olympic team that’ll soon head to the Paris Games escaped with a 101-100 win over South Sudan in London, rallying from a 16-point deficit to avoid perhaps the biggest upset in the program’s history.

South Sudan, the African nation that gained its independence just 13 years ago and is about to play in the Olympics for the first time, led for more than half the game and had a chance to win at the end. But Carlik Jones’ runner off the glass missed with about 4 seconds left, and the Americans survived.

“I’m going to be honest: I like those better than the blowouts,” James said as he walked off the court. “At least we get tested.”

Oh, they got tested — by a team that came into the game as 43.5-point underdogs , according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

“A good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. “We have to expect everyone to play like that.”

Down by 16 at one point, the Americans dug out of that hole with an 18-0 run in the second half — then needed heroics at the end anyway. JT Thor’s 3-pointer with 20 seconds left gave South Sudan a 100-99 lead, then the Americans called timeout and put the ball in James’ hands.

He made it look easy: He waited, waited, waited, then drove and laid it in with ease to put the U.S. back on top, and the Americans got the stop they needed at the end.

Paris Olympics

James finished with a game-high 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the U.S., which improved to 4-0 with one game left — Monday vs. World Cup champion Germany — on its pre-Olympic exhibition tour. Anthony Davis added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Americans.

Marial Shayok had 24 points for South Sudan and Jones had a triple-double — 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

The teams will meet in group play in the Paris Olympics on July 31.

“It’s basketball. It happens,” U.S. guard Stephen Curry said. “You want to play perfect every game; it doesn’t happen. But can you dig deep and do the little things that help you win? Offense can come and go, but