United States vs. Nigeria preview and gamethread

Kyrie Irving and the USA Basketball Men’s National Team will wrap up the 2016 USA Basketball Showcase with an exhibition game against Nigeria on Monday night at 9 PM ET. Nigeria is the FIBA Africa zone champion, which has qualified the team for their second Olympic Basketball Tournament. The team finished tenth in the standings in London’s 2012 tournament with a 1-4 record.

When? 9 p.m. ET

Where? Houston Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Broadcast? NBA TV

Online? facebook.com/USABasketball

Pre-game music?

Nigeria’s roster features Portland Trail Blazer Al-Farouq Aminu and his newly acquired teammate, Festus Ezeli, as well as the Detroit Piston’s 2016 second round draft pick Michael Gbinije, and former member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Canton Charge guard Ben Uzoh. The team also includes Aminu’s older brother, Alade Aminu, however the depth chart suggests he has a limited role. Nigeria is in Group B in Rio while the United States is featured in Group A, so the two teams wouldn’t play in the Olympics unless Nigeria is able to advance to the knockout stages.

The USBMNT is undefeated through the first four exhibition games of the showcase, but did experience an off shooting night during their game in Chicago, as Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant were a combined 0-of-9 on three-point attempts. Despite the shooting troubles, the exhibition games have highlighted Kyrie Irving in a starting role, which is fun to watch alongside some of the best talent in the NBA.

Since Friday, the team held a sing-along despite Melo’s protests:

And also were fitted for the Opening Ceremony outfits, which is apparently inspired by that time your aunt made you wear matching maritime outfits for your grandpa’s 80th birthday boat bonanza...

Either way, tune in for tonight’s final exhibition and hopefully have a better time than Melo did during that singalong.