Lakers News: After Team USA's Loss To Lithuania, FIBA Quarterfinals Lineups Set

Can the Americans keep themselves alive this week?

After Team USA fell over the weekend to Lithuania, they are now being faced with the reality of a win-or-go-home game against Italy on Tuesday. 

The Americans will have to bounce back from the tough loss otherwise it will be a wasted experience for them.

The Quarter-Finals are set 🍿#FIBAWC #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/ePfcfQuZoN

— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 3, 2023

They hold a 12-2 all-time advantage over Italy, so history is on their side as the teams get ready for tip-off. The entire team is going to need to contribute to this one if they want to keep their hopes alive in this tournament.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves called the loss to Lithuania a “wake-up call” for them, so hopefully they will be ready to go. The game is set to tip off at 5:40 a.m. PT, so it’ll be another early morning watch for anyone on the West Coast.

Team USA can’t take Italy for granted, otherwise, they could be sent packing. They need to treat this matchup as they would anyone else.

Head coach Steve Kerr has been in this situation before throughout his NBA career, so his experience should be able to get his guys ready to go. They are going to need a team effort to keep themselves alive, and can’t just rely on one player to play hero ball.

While the rest of the country has gotten better over the years, the Americans still boast the best collection of talent around. They just need to work together to accomplish their common goal.

This game against Italy is the first time that we see them with their backs against the wall, so it’ll be interesting to see what they are made of. It’s put up or shut up time for Team USA, and it all comes down to this matchup.

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