Staff USA coach Steve Kerr throughout a recreation in opposition to Lithuania within the Fiba World Cup. -FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-Coach Steve Kerr opted to place a silver lining to Staff USA’s 110-104 loss to Lithuania in a shock outcome that wrapped up the second spherical motion of the Fiba World Cup on Sunday at Mall of Asia Area.
“I like the sport. I like what occurred tonight,” Kerr mentioned within the postgame press convention to digest what went improper for the People in a matchup between groups already assured of quarterfinal berths.
Team USA fell behind early behind Lithuania’s environment friendly three-point capturing and its dimension benefit, and was pressured to play catch up the remainder of the way in which, leaving a dent in its hopes of profitable again the World Cup.
Anthony Edwards tried to considerably replicate what he did in an exhibition comeback win over Germany in Abu Dhabi a number of weeks again, however to no avail, as Lithuania organized a quarters pairing with European rival Serbia.
“Lithuania clearly simply got here out of the gates on fireplace, made their first 9 threes, took it to us,” mentioned Kerr. “I like the way in which our guys fought again, performed significantly better within the second half, competed like loopy, gave it a very good run, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient.
“It’s a terrific recreation for us to expertise. That is Fiba. There are nice groups which have continuity, that perceive what they’re doing, they execute. Lithuania had been sensible tonight, they deserved to win.”
The loss put the People in a quarterfinal match in opposition to Italy on Tuesday on the similar venue.
However Kerr appears to consider that it’ll solely make the NBA-flavored People method the remainder of the marketing campaign in a greater manner, particularly now that one loss would imply an finish to their title hopes.
“I hate shedding [and] I’ll most likely gained’t sleep a lot tonight,” Kerr mentioned. “However for us to get higher, we wanted to really feel this, we wanted to bond the way in which we did. And the following recreation, we’ve got to begin the way in which we did within the second half. We will’t ease into the sport in any respect.
“So I’m hoping that it is a lesson and we get higher from this,” he added.
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