Final Score: USA 96, Lithuania 68
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(Getty)
The only team that can stop the United States is the United States. Team USA crushed Lithuania on Thursday to earn its second straight trip to the finals of the FIBA World Cup. With Spain eliminated from the tournament, the Americans will play France or Serbia in the Gold Medal game Sunday.
And barring a colossal meltdown, the United States will win the Gold after a thrashing of the Lithuanians on Thursday.
Click the link below to view photo gallery of the game, click here for a full box score and read on for a recap and highlights roundup.
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Final Stats: Kyrie Irving Scored 18 Points to Lead Team USA
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(ESPN.com)
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(ESPN.com)
The United States Blew it Wide Open in the 3rd Quarter
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(Getty)
Team USA scored the first 10 points of the third quarter and the rout was on from there. The Americans outscored the Lithuanians 33-14 in the third quarter and led 76-49 heading into the fourth.
Here’s a look at the stats for each team through three.
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(ESPN.com)
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(ESPN.com)
It wasn’t a total waste of time for Lithuania’s fans to come out to the game, though. At least they had a good opportunity to play Patty Cake.
Lithuania Hung Around in the 2nd Quarter
Halftime in Barcelona, where @usabasketball leads Lithuania, 43-35. Box score: http://t.co/Y0pPeSZhvk pic.twitter.com/EwpWqffCsG
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 11, 2014
The United States had all the momentum heading into the second quarter, but the Lithuanians wouldn’t go quietly. Team USA outscored Lithuania just 22-19 in the quarter and was clinging onto a 43-35 lead at the half.
Here’s a look at the first-half stats:
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(ESPN.com)
The quarter included what could have been an ugly scene between the United States’ DeMarcus Cousins and Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas.
Valanciunas was boxing out Cousins when he elbowed Cousins in the elbow. Cousins took exception and wound up as if to throw a punch before thinking better of it. Valanciunas, for his part, appeared to brace for being hit.
Cousins was assessed a technical foul on the play.
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The United States Used an 8-0 Run to Take the Lead Toward the End of the 1st Quarter
.@KlayThompson has a game-high 8 points and @usabasketball leads Lithuania 21-16 after 1 on ESPN/WatchESPN. pic.twitter.com/HwVAs2itB1
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 11, 2014
With three starters on the bench after picking up their second fouls, Team USA was trailing by 3 mid-way through the first quarter. But Kyrie Irving’s 3 ignited an 8-0 run to give the Americans an 18-13 lead, and the U.S. led 21-16 at the end of the quarter.
Klay Thompson scored 8 points off the bench to lead all scorers in the quarter.
Team USA Was in Foul Trouble Early
Three of @usabasketball‘s five starters are now on the bench with two fouls, as @KennethFaried35 picks up his second.
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 11, 2014
Steph Curry and James Harden — the United States’ two starting guards — picked up two fouls each in the game’s first 3 minutes as the U.S. and Lithuania traded baskets, and Kenneth Faried picked up his second a minute later.
Derek Rose came into the game to replace Curry with just under 7 minutes left.
The United States didn’t lead until a Klay Thompson 3-pointer made it 10-9 with 6:26 left.
Starling Lineups
Starters for #USABMNT v. Lithuania: @KyrieIrving, @StephenCurry30, @JHarden13, @AntDavis23 & @KennethFaried35. Live on @espn #Spain2014
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 11, 2014
Pregame: Emotional Day for Team USA
United We Stand. Good luck to the #USABMNT in the #Spain2014 Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/Rf6rDaNiN1
— US Olympic Team (@USOlympic) September 11, 2014
As is the case with all sporting events today, athletes are taking the court or field thinking of the memory of those who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attacks 13 years ago.
As Klay Thompson tweeted, Team USA has the special privilege of representing the Stars and Stripes in international competition.
We have a special opportunity tonight to honor those who perished on that tragic unforgettable day 13 years ago by playing as hard as we can
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) September 11, 2014
How to Watch on TV & Online
TV: ESPN
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: If your cable subscription includes ESPN, you can watch the live stream of the game online for free at WatchESPN.com. You’ll need your cable log-in and password, or the log-in and password of someone you know.
HOW TO WATCH ON MOBILE: Mobile and tablet users can watch the game for free on the Watch ESPN app. As is the case with desktop, you’ll need the log-in for a cable subscription with access to ESPN. You can download the app for free in the App Store , the Google Play store, the Amazon App store or the Windows Store.
