2014 FIBA Quarter-Finals Day 1

The Quarter-finals got underway today as Lithuania faced off against Turkey and the USA met Slovenia

LITHUANIA vs TURKEY
Lithuania defeated Turkey 73-61 in a slugfest that began with Turkey controlling the first half but ended in a Lithuanian sprint after they finally wore Turkey down in the fourth quarter. With Seibutis and Pocius banging in 6 three-pointers, Lithuania expanded their lead. Lithuania was 10/19 from the three at 52% and 81% from the free throw line. Their bench outscored Turkey’s 28-6. Turkey is normally a strong three point-shooting team but today they could only manage 3/18 (17%). The team shot 70% from the free throw line. Gonlum (13), Arslan (12) and Asik (11) led the team in scoring. Turkey was only able to run a 7-man rotation as opposed to Lithuania’s 11-man rotation. This game was a good example of how heavy legs can kill a team’s momentum and rhythm, in addition to speed.

USA vs SLOVENIA
As they have done throughout this tournament, the USA played 20 minutes of lackluster, one-on-one basketball. Hardin helped to keep Slovenia in the game by taking one forced shot after another. He only had 2 points at the half. The USA’s uninspired defense also kept the game close, and Slovenia went into the break only down by 7 (49-42). What a difference a half makes! Slovenia, typically a three point shooting team, could not make a basket in the second half. Team USA also picked up their play and basically out-rebounded, out-shot, out-defended and out-hustled a completely exhausted 7-man Slovenian rotation that just ran out of gas. The final score was USA 119, Slovenia 76. Top scorers for USA included Thompson (20), Harden (14), Faried (14), Davis (13), Rose (12) and Irving (12). USA had 54 rebounds to Slovenia’s 38, and their bench outscored Slovenia’s 60-31. USA’s defense forced Slovenia into committing 25 turnovers, most of which came in the second half, and held the Dragic brothers to 13 (Goran) and 11 (Zoran) points. Both of them play at an NBA level. 

Team USA faces Lithuania next. This will be a different cast of characters and a different coach. Better be ready!

UPCOMING GAMES:
Sept 10th:
Serbia vs Brazil
France vs Spain

Sept 11th:
USA vs Lithuania