USA vs. Lithuania: TV Info, Live Stream and Preview for FIBA World Cup 2014
The entire 2014 FIBA World Cup was marketed as a path to a championship showdown between the United States and Spain. Someone forgot to tell France.
France knocked Spain out in a stunning upset Wednesday, and now it is the Americans’ turn to attempt to avoid such a fate Thursday against Lithuania. The semifinal showdown takes place at 3 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN with a live stream available on Watch ESPN.
Spain’s stunning loss should serve as something of a warning for the Americans heading into the semifinals—there is plenty of talent on every remaining roster in this event, and nobody should be overlooked. Lithuania has proven as much in the knockout stages and against Team USA in the past, as the NBA on ESPN noted:
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Lithuania outlasted New Zealand in the round of 16, 76-71, after dominating the opening quarter. In the quarterfinals, it knocked out the same Turkey squad that held a lead on the United States in the third quarter during group play.
Speaking of talent that the red, white and blue must worry about, Lithuania’s leader is Jonas Valanciunas.
NBA fans should be rather familiar with the Toronto Raptors center, and he is scoring 12.9 points and grabbing 8.6 rebounds a game at the World Cup, both team highs. Team USA has dominated down low in nearly every contest with Kenneth Faried, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, so Thursday’s game will be a real challenge for Valanciunas.
Lithuania is more than just the big man, though.
Guard Renaldas Seibutis is scoring 10.3 points and dishing out a team-high 3.1 assists a night and will be tasked with avoiding turnovers against the American guards.
The impressive duo will be the key to keeping this game close, since Team USA has virtually dominated every single time it has taken the floor. There are NBA superstars on the bench for Mike Krzyzewski, and the talent gap may just be too much to overcome for the underdogs from Lithuania.
As mentioned, the big men have been critical for the Americans. Davis and Faried are the top two scorers and rebounders on the team, and Cousins has impressed with athleticism, improved defense and a commitment to the boards.
What’s more, the guards will unleash defensive pressure at timely moments against Lithuania, as they have all tournament. Yes, the Americans have experienced a couple of slow starts, but they dominated from the second quarter on in nearly every game because the perimeter defense has forced turnovers and funneled ball-handlers into the shot-blockers down low.
If any game in Spain comes down to the end, the Americans’ ability to clamp down on defense will be key.
Motivation also won’t be a problem against Lithuania if Krzyzewski’s comments are any indication, according to The Associated Press, via Fox Sports:
"To the basketball people of the world, this is the event. Remember, the Olympics is every sport, so you've got a bunch of people who are excited about swimming, track, all the events, and you put them together and it creates this spectacle that basketball is a part of.
Basketball's not a part of this event. Basketball is the event and there's a big difference and we've learned that.
"
Motivation and a clear talent advantage is a nearly impossible combination to beat. Lithuania will find that out the hard way on Thursday.
Prediction: United States 101, Lithuania 75
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