MANILA, Philippines — There was nothing at stake at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, with both Team USA and Lithuania having already secured two of eight positions in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals. Steve Kerr’s program had already qualified for the 2024 Olympics. And yet, 12 men with “Lietuva” printed across their chest opened the contest with flames in their eyes and caught fire from distance.
Seven players combined to drill the team’s first nine attempts from beyond the arc, not missing until the four-minute mark of the second quarter. Starting center Jonas Valanu010diu016bnas bullied American shot-blocker Jaren Jackson Jr.