Lithuania defeated the United States in its final match of the next group with 110–104 points. Lithuania will advance to the quarterfinals as the winner of Group J.
Lithuania marched convincingly to the quarterfinals of the World Cup basketball, when the team defeated the USA team, which was cheering for NBA players, 110–104. Lithuania won its next group before the United States, which means both teams advance to the playoffs of the games.
The loss was the USA’s first at the World Championships before the knockout stage since the 2002 Games.
The young USA team was rattled in handling Lithuania from the start, as Lithuania led by as much as 31-12 after the opening quarter. The shooting game of the European team was flawless, as the team hit its first nine three-point shots.
In the entire match, the Lithuanians hit 14 threes out of 25 attempts. The three-point percentage was a wild 56. The team hit 50 percent of the two-point shots, while 23 of the 46 attempts were sunk.
The all-NBA USA team suffered its first loss of the Games against an opponent whose only NBA player is a center Jonas Valenciunas. The United States, by far the biggest pre-favorite of the tournament, was already in trouble in their previous match against Montenegro, but the real setback came against Lithuania.
The United States got within four points in the final quarter, but Lithuania’s lead lasted. Lithuania’s defense was buzzing, as the United States scored 39 points in the final quarter. However, Lithuania responded with the same measure and scored the same amount of points.
At their best, the Lithuanians led the match with 21 points.
Lithuania continues without losses
The Finnish national basketball team beat Lithuania in a training match about a month ago in Tampere with a basket in the last seconds 81–79. Instead, Susijeng’s tournament ended with 21, but Lithuania continues to the quarterfinals, along with Germany, as the only undefeated team.
No fewer than eight Lithuanian players scored at least 12 points against the USA. The team’s best scorer was the back man Vaidas Karinauskas, who scored 16 points. Karinauskas hit 3/5 of his two-point shots and both of his three-point attempts.
– It’s hard to talk. This is a big win for our country and for the players and coaches. I am happy for our families and our country. The next match is soon, so we are happy, but not too much, Karinauskas said at the press conference.
Lithuania continues the tournament in the quarter-finals against Serbia. Today, Serbia defeated the Dominican Republic by a score of 112-79.
The best scorer for the United States was Athletic Anthony Edwards, who scored as many as 35 points. Edwards was disappointed in front of the press after the match.
– They completely beat us. Credit to them, Edwards said.
He praised Lithuania Eimantas for Bendzius, who hit two difficult 3-pointers in the closing period. In addition, Edwards quickly turned his eyes to the future.
– Fortunately, we get to play again. That’s all I can think of. We watch videos and learn. Towards the next, Edwards anticipates.
In the quarterfinals, the United States will face Italy, which defeated Puerto Rico 73–57. The US is trying to avoid the fate of the previous World Cups. The team, which featured top-level NBA players, lost to France in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Games. The loss ended the country’s 58 international match winning streak.
5.9. at 11:45 Lithuania–Serbia
5.9. at 15:40 Italy–United States
6.9. at 11.45 Germany–Latvia
6.9. at 15:30 Canada–Slovenia