The USA national basketball team fell to a fantastic Lithuanian team 110:104 (31:12, 23:25, 17:28, 39:39) in FIBA Basketball World Cup. This defeat did not hurt the US team, but it certainly does not add to their confidence.
The Lithuanian team started the game with an incredible rainfall of three-pointers. They made one after another and sank nine three-pointers in a row without any mistakes! The Lithuanian team had a 21-point lead in the first half (52:31).
In the third quarter, the USA came out swinging and sent the Lithuanians to the playoff hole. The Americans won the period 19:2 and got closer to the Lithuanians (56:52). However, the Lithuanians reacted and did not let themselves be caught.
Led by Anthony Edwards, the Americans were breathing down Lithuania’s neck until the final moments. The Lithuanian national basketball team answered their opponents’ shots with the same and kept their distance.
With one and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, Lithuania led by 11 points (103:92), but the Americans were not going to give up the victory so easily. However, their foul tactics did not work. Lithuania defeated the US team, which is made up of NBA players.
It is already clear that the Lithuanians, who have won all five games, will play Serbia in the quarter-finals, while the USA will play Italy. The quarter-finals will take place on Tuesday. The US team cannot make any more mistakes, a loss in the quarter-finals of the World Basketball Championship would be a real sensation.
USA: Anthony Edwards 35 points, Mikal Bridges 14 points. Jalen Brunson 14 points, Brandon Ingram 10 points, Bobby Portis 7 points. and Austin Reaves 7 points.
Lithuania: Vaidas Kariniauskas 15 points, Mindaugas Kuzminskas 14 points, Jonas Valančiūnas 12 points, Tadas Sedekerskis 11 points, Ignas Brazdeikis 11 points Tomas Dimša 11 points, Eimantas Bendžius 10 points, Rokas Jokubaitis 9 points. and Donatas Motiejūnas 9 points.