The Lithuanian basketball team provided the biggest sensation of the 2023 FIBA World Championship so far, defeating the USA team with a score of 110:104.
In the quarterfinals, Lithuania will face the Serbian national team, while the USA will be up against Italy’s Pozzeco team.
The first half was dominated by the Lithuanians, who, with their authentic strong defense and incredible three-point shooting (9-12), dismantled the Americans. Steve Kerr’s team appeared utterly helpless, as evidenced by their meager 12 points in the first quarter, which was their lowest score in the tournament so far. Anthony Edwards‘ individual efforts prevented Kazys Maksvytis’s team from extending their lead to +30, and the halftime score favored Lithuania at 54:37.
The Americans managed to regroup at halftime, played better defense, and narrowed the gap to four points in the third quarter. However, in the last 10 minutes, the Lithuanians returned to their tried-and-true recipe of strong defense, offensive rebounds, and three-point shooting. The Lithuanians displayed more determination and organization in this game and rightfully secured the victory, giving them the top spot in Group J.
Vaidas Kariniauskas led the Lithuanian team in scoring with 15 points, closely followed by Mindaugas Kuzminskas with one point less. On the other side, despite Edwards’ impressive 35-point performance, he couldn’t turn the game in favor of his team. Brunson and Bridges also had notable contributions with 14 points each.
First half
Not even halfway through the first quarter, the Lithuanians had already sunk their first three three-pointers. On the other side, Jonas Valanciunas closed off all paths to the basket for the Americans, who couldn’t find their shooting rhythm. With another shot from beyond the 6.75-meter line, Vaidas Kariniauskas extended Lithuania’s lead to double digits three minutes before the end of the quarter. The “barrage of threes” continued, and in just a few minutes, the Lithuanians extended their lead to 31 points, compared to the 12 points they allowed their opponents in the first 10 minutes.
Although they won the second quarter 25:23, the Americans couldn’t improve their overall performance. Many missed opportunities by the Lithuanian basketball players, along with a in-form Anthony Edwards, were the only reasons why the lead was “only” 17 points before halftime.
Second half
The Americans opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run. The Lithuanians couldn’t keep their “hot hand” forever, and the players of Steve Kerr took advantage of it, narrowing the gap to just four points towards the end of the third quarter. However, Mindaugas Kuzminskas secured a +6 lead for his team with points from an “overhead shot” before the final 10 minutes.
Kuzminskas played a pivotal role in the fourth quarter as well, as the Lithuanians found their rhythm once again. Whenever the Americans made a three-pointer, an identical response followed from the Lithuanian side. The outcome of the game was decided a minute and a half before the end with the third three-pointer by Tomas Dimsa, who led his team to an insurmountable 101:90 lead.
