The Americans beat Italy, 100-63, on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup.
The Americans, now 5-1 in the FIBA World Cup and 10-1 this summer including exhibitions, strangled the Italian offense with their defensive activity in the quarterfinal contest, which marked their first do-or-die game of the tournament. Italy shot just 5 for 17 from the field in the first quarter and barely improved by night’s end, shooting 23 for 75 overall and 7 for 38 from deep. The Italians’ 63 points easily marked their lowest-scoring output of the tournament.
“We just felt the energy off the jump,” Bridges said. “Everybody felt it. The starters. The bench. We just found each other. ... Our swagger never goes away. We were ready.” The combination of stifling defense and free-flowing offense produced a machine-like victory: USA Basketball built a double-digit lead late in the first quarter and stretched it to 20 points before halftime and then 30 points midway through the third quarter before topping out at 41 points in the final period.“It’s been a five-week journey, and there’s five more days left,” Kerr said. “The horse starts picking up the pace when it gets close to the barn.
The Italians, who went 4-1 before the quarterfinals, caught a bad break with Lithuania’s upset of USA Basketball. Had the Americans won that contest, Italy would have faced Serbia in the quarterfinals. Instead, the Italians’ reward for winning Group I was a quarterfinal date with the Americans, who are still favored to win the tournament.“We needed to be a little bit lucky,” said Melli, who spent two years in the NBA from 2019 to 2021. “We were first [in our group].
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
USA vs. Italy: Free live stream, TV, how to watch FIBA World Cup quarterfinalUSA faces Italy in the FIBA Basketball World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 (9/5/23) at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
Read more »
USA rolls past Italy 100-63 to reach Basketball World Cup semifinalsThe United States is headed to the medal round of the Basketball World Cup after bouncing back from its first loss of the tournament in emphatic fashion.
Read more »
USA vs Italy Predictions & Odds - 2023 FIBA World CupFIBA World Cup predictions, odds, and betting tips for USA vs Italy on September 5. FIBA World Cup betting free pick and SGP.
Read more »
2023 FIBA World Cup: Lithuania once again exposes Team USA's issues with slow starts, sizeMANILA, Philippines — There was nothing at stake at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, with both Team USA and Lithuania having already secured two of eight positions in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals. Steve Kerr's program had already qualified for the 2024 Olympics. And yet, 12 men with 'Lietuva' printed across their chest opened the contest with flames in their eyes and caught fire from distance.
Read more »
2023 FIBA World Cup: Team USA is quite aware of its issue with slow startsMANILA, Philippines — Throughout five games at this FIBA World Cup tournament, Team USA's opponents from New Zealand to Lithuania have jogged onto the floor with north of 30 minutes until tipoff. They have stepped onto the hardwood for synchronized stretches with training staffers and lofted loosening jumpers with choreography akin to the most structured of NCAA programs. More than 10 minutes can separate these rival entrances from when the Americans march under Mall of Asia Arena's bright lights. Team USA's in-game production, you may have read, has tended to arrive behind schedule as well.
Read more »