FIBA World Cup 2014: Championship Schedule, Predictions After Semifinal Results
The United States and Serbia successfully navigated the 2014 FIBA World Cup's 24-team bracket to earn seats in Sunday's final.
Team USA applied a scorched earth tactic against its helpless foes, decimating the competition in a pile of routs. Serbia, meanwhile, needing a gripping close call against France to become the underdog in this tale. Anyone facing the U.S. will succumb to acting out that role.
Will the mighty favorite impose its will once again, or can Serbia shock the world during the World Cup's curtain call?
| United States | 96-68 | Lithuania |
| Serbia | 90-85 | France |
| United States vs. Serbia | Sun., 9/14 | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Final Preview: United States vs. Serbia
It's not the championship clash everyone expected, but the United States will still fight for the gold. Instead of facing Spain's Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka, Team USA must combat the surging Serbians, who ride into this matchup with a wave of good will.
Despite allowing 39 fourth-quarter points against France, Serbia salvaged a 90-85 victory during an incredible semifinal showdown. Nicolas Batum went off with 35 points for France, including eight three-pointers, but Milos Teodosic led the way for Serbia with 24 points.
NBA.com's John Schuhmann believes the U.S. should circle Teodosic's name upon crafting a game plan for Sunday's final.
"Final: Serbia 90, France 85. Serbia vs. USA for the gold medal on Sunday. Milos Teodosic will be at the top of the scouting report.
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) September 12, 2014"
First, we should probably figure out who he is. The 27-year-old has played for CSKA Moscow since 2011, and he'll remain there for three more years. USA Today's Adi Joseph said the 6'5" guard could hold his own in the NBA if he wanted to.
His 24 points marks a FIBA high, but just barely after recording 23 in a quarterfinal victory over Brazil. He is now averaging 14.0 points and 4.1 assists per contest, both team bests.
Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving are scoring dynamos, but neither will ever get mistaken for Gary Payton guarding the perimeter. Team USA's offensive-minded point guards will have their hands full against a premier international scorer, who will need to manufacture another huge performance for Serbia to stand any chance.
Mike Krzyzewski might not admit it, but there's probably a binder sitting in his trash can with notes on Spain, Team USA's anticipated opponent. Yet he said after dismantling Lithuania that anything is possible, even his star-laden squad losing. Per USA Today's Sam Amick.
"I'm not surprised about anything in international competition. All these teams are good. That's why we haven't mentioned anybody that we might play, because we don't know if we might play. That's the very first thing. We can lose. If we feel we can lose, we feel anybody else can lose because there's so many good teams.
"
Yet anyone not needing to keep up appearances with reporters will say otherwise. The U.S. has averaged 20 more points per game than Serbia, who has actually boasted on of the tournament's premier offenses. Even without LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Coach K's club is faster and stronger than everyone else.
Courtesy of ESPN Stats & Info, the nation has built up quite the international winning streak after a surprising exit eight years ago.
It's anyone's guess who will provide the heavy lifting in Sunday. In the semifinals, Klay Thompson snapped out of a funk to post 16 points on the strength of five three-pointers. Although revered as one-half of the Golden State Warriors' Splash Brothers, the shooting guard also brings defensive tenacity otherwise lacking from its backcourt.
James Harden, often mocked for his defensive limitations, acknowledged Thompson's superior defensive acumen to NBA.com's Sekou Smith.
“He’s been a lockdown defender for us, no doubt,” Harden said. “Scoring is never going to be a problem for him. It’s not an issue for this team. So it says something when you see guys working hard on defense and trying to make an impact any way they can.”
Although not the Team USA's most star-studded iteration, the attention to detail has served the squad well. Rather than loading up on the biggest names, Jerry Colangelo assembled a well-rounded roster where everyone—well, maybe not Mason Plumlee—serves a purpose.
Team USA will take care of business with another decisive victory.
Prediction: United States 98, Serbia 77
