The Boomers exposed flaws in Team USA and almost pulled off a huge comeback during a pre-Olympic clash in Abu Dhabi, going down 98-92.

The Americans scored their second exhibition win but it did not come without several question marks, with the Aussies causing some worry in the fourth quarter for the star-studded team with a strong defensive effort that forced uncharacteristic turnovers and missed shots.

But clutch shooting late from Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker kept Team USA ahead to hold on for the win.

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The USA team led by 24 points midway through the third quarter, however that lead was cut to six with just over five minutes left, with Australia going on a 39-21 run.

But Haliburton had the next six points with two three-pointers, pushing the lead back to 92-80, giving Steve Kerr’s men the requisite breathing space to get home.

Jock Landale scored 20 for Australia, with Josh Giddey grabbing 17 and Dyson Daniels 14 points.

Anthony Davis scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the US, Devin Booker had 16, Anthony Edwards scored 14 and LeBron James, Bam Adebayo and Joel Embiid finished with 10 points.

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“Third quarter, we started turning the ball over,” Kerr said. “We gave up a ton of points at the basket. Back cuts, offensive boards and so, the game shifted.

“It’s a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later. And this will be a good tape for us to watch.

“But I give Australia a ton of credit. They were great. They fought. They were really physical. Took it to us in the last quarter and a half and really made it a game.”

Such is the Team USA’s depth, it was their second unit of Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Adebayo, Davis and Booker — that shined and gave proved to be stronger during the game.

When the game was tied at 19-19 with just over three minutes left in the first quarter, USA’s bench players came on and dominated and turned the tie into a 39-23 lead, a 20-4 run in just over five minutes.

Australia started the game with Giddey and Patty Mills in the backcourt, with Daniels, Nick Kay and Landale up front.

Team USA, who was without Kevin Durant, started Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Joel Embiid.

Durant missed his second consecutive game with a calf strain.

The Boomers will play Serbia on Wednesday morning (2am AEST) their next pre-Olympic clash ahead of the Paris campaign.