Crew USA complex to the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA Global Cup with a difficult win over Montenegro on Friday. However date their qualification to the knockout degree is connect, they nonetheless have some paintings to do in the second one spherical, which they’ll conclude on Sunday towards Lithuania in an remarkable recreation for seeding functions. 

For the quarterfinals, Teams I and J are matched up, with the first-place workforce from Crew I taking part in the second-place from Crew J, and vice versa. A win promises that Crew USA finishes atop Crew J, this means that they’d most likely keep away from having to play games Serbia, who in spite of taking part in with out Nikola Jokic stay the favorites to win Crew I. 

Forward of Sunday’s matchup with Lithuania, right here’s the whole lot you wish to have to understand:

Crew USA vs. Lithuania

• Generation: Sunday, Sept. 3 | Hour: 8:40 a.m. ET
• Location: Mall of Asia Area — Manila, Philippines
• TV channel: ESPN 2 | Are living current: fubo (aim for independent)
• Odds: Crew USA -16 | O/U: 177.5

Roster

Storylines

A lot of what we noticed all over the exhibition video games and workforce degree video games remained the similar in Crew USA’s win over Montenegro: Anthony Edwards is the workforce’s chief and absolute best participant, Austin Reaves is vitally remarkable, Tyrese Haliburton is the most productive playmaker and they are able to are living on the independent throw sequence. In all probability probably the most noteceable side of the hard-fought win over Montenegro, even though, used to be the paintings Nikola Vucevic and Co. had been in a position to do at the offensive glass. They grabbed 23 offensive rebounds, which they changed into 22 second-chance issues. Lithuania, led through Jonas Valanciunas, has been the most productive rebounding workforce within the event, and it’s going to be fascinating to how this American frontcourt, which isn’t the inner most or bodily most powerful, is in a position to stock up. 

Prediction

As Friday’s win over Montenegro confirmed, Crew USA isn’t going to fully dominate its fighters at this degree of the event. Nonetheless, the American citizens have remaining skill for Lithuania and must have the ability to store a at ease victory. Pick out: USA -16