The U.S. is assured of going to the Paris Olympics. That’s good. It additionally has a quarterfinal sport on the World Cup awaiting Tuesday. That’s additionally good. The factor is, the one celebrating in Manila on Sunday evening was achieved by the fellows within the different locker room.
It won’t be an undefeated summer time for the People, not after Lithuania — with a mixture of pizzazz from exterior and energy down low — led for all however a number of very early moments towards the one World Cup group composed solely of NBA gamers.
The ultimate rating: Lithuania 110, U.S. 104. The winners went a staggering 9 for 9 from 3-point vary to open the sport and set a tone, bullied their approach to a 43-27 rebounding edge and had seven gamers in double figures with two others only one level shy of becoming a member of that membership.
“We’re lucky that the loss doesn’t harm us when it comes to our aim, which is to win the gold medal,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr stated. “However it’s an ideal sport for us to expertise as a result of that is FIBA. There’s some nice groups which have continuity, that perceive what they’re doing, that execute and I assumed Lithuania was good tonight. They deserved to win.”
Vaidas Kariniauskas scored 15 factors, Mindaugas Kuzminskas added 14 and Lithuania (5-0) wound up successful its second-round group, which actually solely issues for seeding functions. Lithuania will get Serbia in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, whereas the U.S. will face Italy.
The opposite quarterfinals are Wednesday: Germany vs. Latvia and Canada vs. Slovenia.
“In (the) locker room, I stated to our guys to rejoice shortly and save all of the power and feelings additionally for the upcoming sport,” Lithuania coach Kazys Maksvytis stated. “It’s very onerous. We received one of many largest wins in our profession, however we don’t have time to rejoice this. Serbia’s ready and so they’re not ready for us with flowers and the crimson carpet.”
The loss — the primary for the U.S. in 10 video games this summer time, counting 5 exhibitions on the best way to the World Cup — got here on an evening when the People formally clinched a berth within the Paris Video games.
And the loss received’t change the mission going ahead within the World Cup medal chase, both. Win Tuesday, win Friday and win subsequent Sunday, and the People are gold medalists. Sounds easy. However Lithuania confirmed it received’t be.
“Bought to present them credit score,” U.S. level guard Jalen Brunson stated. “They got here out able to play. Lot of respect to them.”
However it was a nonetheless a shocker, particularly for a U.S. group that was the overwhelming favourite to win the gold. Anthony Edwards led the U.S. with 35 factors, his excessive of the summer time, whereas Brunson and Mikal Bridges every added 14.
“We’ll get to play once more,” Edwards stated. “That’s all I’m fascinated with is the subsequent sport.”
For Lithuania (5-0), it grew to become one other evening to recollect towards USA Basketball. And the nation as soon as well-known for the tie-dyed T-shirts — a few of them have been worn by followers within the constructing Sunday evening, who chanted and waved flags from the second they entered till lengthy after the ultimate buzzer — despatched a transparent message to the People and anybody else nonetheless on this World Cup.
Lithuania has pushed the U.S. to the restrict, and past, various instances. Lithuania misplaced to the People by 9 in a preliminary sport on the 2000 Sydney Olympics, then escaped with a two-point win within the semifinals — and remained unbeaten within the Dream Group Olympic period — when Sarunas Jasikevicius’ 3-point strive as time expired fell brief.
These weren’t the one shut calls or worse. Lithuania beat the U.S. on the 1998 world championships (what the World Cup was referred to as then) and within the early rounds of the 2004 Athens Olympics. It additionally gave the People all they needed within the 2012 London Olympics, falling 99-94 in a preliminary spherical matchup the place the U.S. briefly trailed within the fourth quarter.
“It’s a giant win for our nation, for gamers, for coaches, to play towards the perfect on this planet,” Kariniauskas stated. “I’m joyful for my nation … and we don’t must cease now.”
ALSO READ: FIBA Basketball World Cup: Latvia coach Banchi says gamers don’t want him
In a sport that didn’t matter a lot so far as medal hopes, contemplating each groups got here into Sunday with spots secured for the quarterfinals, there was lots to unpack.
Lithuania rode that 9-for-9 begin from 3-point vary on the best way to an early 21-point lead, and the U.S. grew to become Paris-bound within the third quarter when Serbia’s win over the Dominican Republic clinched an Olympic berth for the People.
And proper across the time Serbia closed out its win, the U.S. kicked into excessive gear.
It took the People lower than half of the third quarter — 4 minutes and 16 seconds — to chop what was a 17-point halftime deficit all the way down to 4, and the comeback try was on. However Lithuania by no means misplaced the lead, it doesn’t matter what the U.S. tried.
The People secured an automated berth into the Paris Video games as one of many two highest finishers from the Americas Area on the Basketball World Cup. Canada received the opposite berth later Sunday when it ousted defending World Cup champion Spain from this match.
“It doesn’t ease the ache of the loss that we had tonight for us,” Kerr stated. “However to be sincere, I’m not fearful about this Olympics. I’m fearful about this. We wish to win the World Cup. That’s our focus.”
TIP-INS
Lithuania: Kariniauskas had a viral second when he wagged his tongue at U.S. guard Austin Reaves after a first-half rating. Seems, it was deliberate. Kariniauskas performed this previous season with Reaves’ brother Spencer — and Austin’s brother inspired his teammate to speak trash. “That’s it. Nothing particular,” Kariniauskas stated. … Lithuania has received its final six World Cup video games, the second-longest lively streak behind Germany’s eight in a row.
USA: Edwards was 14 for 26 from the sector. … The U.S. is averaging 101.8 factors within the match and bidding to common a minimum of 100 factors per sport for the sixth time in its 19 World Cup appearances. … The U.S. fell to 133-30 all-time in World Cup play.
UP NEXT:
Lithuania: Faces Serbia in a quarterfinal sport Tuesday in Manila.
USA: Faces Italy in a quarterfinal sport Tuesday in Manila.