By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Manila, Philippines –After losing to Lithuania and with the quarterfinal against Italy being a knockout game, Team USA knew that they had to make things happen.
And they did just that on the way to an easy 100-63 win, led by Mikal Bridges who scored 24 points and was forced to change the way he celebrated making three-pointers after getting a “T” due to his movement.
That’s probably the most eventful thing that happened in a game where things were pretty simple almost from the get-go for the winning side which also got 18 points by Tyrese Haliburton.
Italy led 8-7 after a layup by Stefano Tonit to start the game, Steve Kerr checked his second unit in and with a 13-3 run, the USA led by nine (20-11). The answer was a three by Simone Fontecchio to keep things close (20-14), but the first period ended with the USA up by 10 (24-14).
That was just the start of the avalanche. With a partial 17-4 score, the USA led by 23 (41-18) as Bridges already had 11 points and led a balanced effort on both ends.
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A putback dunk by Austin Reaves made the score 46-22 as the crowd inside the Mall of Asia Arena erupted. The halftime score was 46-24 and the game was already over.
Italy was not up to the task, the US led by 39 points (78-39) after a three by Bobby Portis and the third period ended with Italy trailing 83-44 after a dunk by Paolo Banchero.
The biggest lead was 41 points (92-53) and Fontecchio with a total of 18 points was the top scorer of Italy.
Just for the record, Banchero who decided to play for the USA despite having previously the choice to suit up for Italy, finished the game with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block.
The USA will play in the FIBA World Cup semifinal against the winner of the game between Germany and Latvia.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA