Team USA has taken a few losses over the decades in major international competition when roster flaws have been exposed, focus has been an issue and when an opponent puts together a brilliant performance.
Sometimes it’s the result of more than one of those factors, and that was the case Sunday night in the FIBA World Cup. Lithuania added to its illustrious history by scoring another win over the U.S., bullying and out-executing the Americans in a 110-104 victory.
Lithuania put together a sensational performance, blending its advantages and rising to the occasion. Some loose balls went its way and the officiating was puzzling at times, but it was a fair-and-square impressive showing.
Team USA had a 15-2 run in the third quarter and cut the lead to four points in the final minute, but it was always out of position and never appeared poised to overtake the Lithuanians.
Nine different Lithuania players made a 3-pointer, six had at least three rebounds, six had at least two assists and five scored in double figures.
Team USA was led by a valiant Anthony Edwards, who never relented and finished with 35 points, just three off Kevin Durant’s Team USA scoring record.
Mikal Bridges also played tirelessly and scored 14 points plus worked as hard as anyone on defense and in chasing loose balls.
But it just wasn’t good enough, as the U.S. was effectively outplayed for much of the game as its strategy and weaknesses were exploited.
“I hate losing, I probably won’t sleep much tonight,” Team USA coach Steve Kerr said. “But for us to get better, we needed to feel this, we needed to respond the way we did.”