Lithuania Shot Lights Out and Team USA Suffered Defeat. But It Was Team USA’s Desperate Play That Made It A Game.

Sometimes, the basketball gods choose a side. So when Lithuania started the game by making their first nine threes, it felt notable, but when [every loose ball was finding open Lithuania shooters](https://streamable.com/652f5w), it felt spiritual.

Team Lithuania came into this game as the antithesis of the USA team. Lithuania is big and bruising, relying on ball movement and a [complex package of Spain pick-and-rolls](https://streamable.com/16b8bw) to create ball penetration. Lituania would send the second screener at USA’s dropping big as Lithuania’s point guard would walk into open threes. They passed against the advantages their screens made and always seemed ready to catch and shoot at the earliest convenience. Simultaneously, they crashed the offensive glass at every opportunity, punishing any defender that dared to ball watch. On defense, they fought over screens, pressuring ball handlers to the point they seemed to be intentionally fouling at times. Lithuania combined this cohesive ball movement with bullying post-ups, targeting guards like Reaves from every position on the court.

In contrast, the USA seemed disjointed, rushed, and frustrated. As the deficit grew the possesions became short and hurried, rarely including more than one pass. The defense was sleepy as bigs got caught on screens and guards feigned box-outs. Jackson Jr. and Reaves [were both plagued by cheap fouls](https://streamable.com/4fs4fo) and the added peppering of traveling calls killed any USA momentum. It wasn’t until late in the second that Team USA started connecting possessions of more than two passes. The revived ball movement reawakened the team and leveled the game out. Still, down double digits, Team USA played even with Lithuania heading into the half, but the comeback didn’t start until the ball pressure turned up in the third.

Led by Ant’s[ suffocating coverage](https://streamable.com/ygxaqj) Team USA started roaring back after halftime. Turnovers led to transition baskets as Team USA started turning the pace up. By late in the third they had cut the lead to four. But this momentum was lost when Kerr started his rotations. Immediately, the defensive pressure decreased and so did the transition highlights. The offense kept chugging along but the momentum became even again. During this next stretch, I personally grew exhausted by Ingram’s [lackadaisical defense.](https://streamable.com/vodf62) His play will be excused by his offensive contributions but he is not finding a rhythm on defense. While I still adamantly believe that Ingram will find his place in this team, this game was the first time I wondered if he needs to sit at the end of close games.

Yet, despite the sloppy play, and Lithuania’s frequent free-throw trips, Team USA made it a game at the end. The loss may have temporarily fed the doubters of Team USA’s construction, but there is plenty of room for optimism. Primarily, Team USA finally started to play with the type of desperation required by single-elimination tournaments. The reality is that this team only works when they apply ball pressure and move the ball on offense. Hopefully, now they have the motivation to lock into playing better basketball, regardless of who is on the floor.

The last USA team won gold in the Olympics, but many forget that they also suffered defeat in the exhibition stage. This current team can also bounce back from defeat, and grab the gold medal, as long as they realize they are going to have to scratch and claw for it.

by StudentoftheGameNBA