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US beat Lithuania

Jonathan HardingSeptember 11, 2014

The US continued to meet expectations in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, as they overcame a stubborn Lithuania side 96-68 to reach the final. Their opponents will be decided tomorrow.

https://p.dw.com/p/1DB47
Basketball WM USA gegen Litauen
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo

Kyrie Irving top-scored for the US (18 points) as they saw off Lithuania to march on to the final of the basketball World Cup in Spain. Despite NBA star Jonas Valanciunas' 15 points and a busy performance, Lithuania came up short against a powerful American team.

After their late dismantling of Slovenia in the quarterfinals (119-76), the USA knew they would be facing a completely different kind of test in the form of Lithuania, one of Europe's leading teams.

Lithuania hurried the US team in the early stages with an aggressive gameplan which made it difficult for Mike Krzyzewski's team to find their rhythm. Nevertheless, the US led 21-16 at the end of the first quarter.

As the game continued, the US, who defeated Lithuania at the same stage of the 2011 FIBA World Championship, didn't look as comfortable as normal, with a lot of plays ending scrappily. Sadly for Lithuania though, this didn't last long and at half time the US still had their lead (43-35).

Basketball WM USA gegen Litauen
Kenneth Faried was a monster in and around the basket for the USImage: Getty Images/D. Ramos

In the third quarter, the Americans' raised their game visibly, and wrestled the game away from the battling Lithuanians and their passionate supporters. DeMarcus Cousins got into a tangle after an errant elbow, but there was just no stopping the US team. A ruthless blitz of swift counterattacking opened up a 27-point gap by the end of the period (76-49), with James Harden shrugging off his poor quarterfinal form to help the US run away from their challengers.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the USA's 21 points from turnovers were a great indication of just how dominant Krzyzewski's team had been during transitional play. As their opponents tired, the USA's strength and athleticism stood out. Stephen Curry continued to impress, scoring at pivotal moments to lead the US to victory.

The other semifinal takes place on Friday night between France, who upset hosts Spain in the quarterfinals, and Serbia. The winner will play Curry and co. in the final on Sunday night, while Lithuania will play the losers of the other semifinal on Saturday evening in the third-place playoff.