USA will face either Serbia or France in Sunday’s final…
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Team USA booked their place in the FIBA World Cup 2014 final after a 96-68 victory over Lithuania in the first semi-final in Barcelona on Thursday night.
Despite many expecting a tougher test for the tournament favourites, a quick start to the third quarter took the game away from their opponents as they coasted to another comfortable win.
James Harden scored all of his 16 points in the third, Kyrie Irving added 18 points and Klay Thompson scored 16 for the Americans who will now await the winner of Friday’s encounter between Serbia and France.
Nevertheless, despite another mediocre start to the game, Mike Krzyzewski’s men made their superior athleticism, stamina and depth take control of the game as it progressed and they undoubtedly look in great shape to go on and now win the tournament.
Center Kenneth Faried insisted that Team USA would have liked to have played hosts Spain in the final, but after their shock loss to France, the path is now clear for the Americans to go on and retain their title.
It hasn’t been a perfect tournament thus far, with several players struggling for shooting consistency as well as foul trouble as they fail to adapt to the FIBA rules appropriately.
However, they have remained professional throughout and have been comfortable in dispatching of inferior teams. Yet it is hoped that either Serbia or France will be capable of making the final competitive at the very least, as the pair look to put on an entertaining semi-final on Friday night.
France won a thrilling encounter in the group phase, 74-73, but with some late, and questionable, decisions going against Serbia, they will undoubtedly be looking to avenge that loss.
Both teams have produced some great moments at the tournament thus far, and they will hope to feature in Sunday’s final as opposed to the third-place playoff on Saturday.
Results:
USA 96-68 Lithuania
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