USA’s Loss To Germany: Germany has not defeated Team USA in World Cup or Olympic competitions prior to the game on Friday. Germany defeated Team USA 113-111 to snap a six-game losing run and earn a spot in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Final.
The only unbeaten team left in the competition is Germany (7-0), who will face Serbia in the championship game on Sunday (8:40 a.m. ET).
After dropping to 5-2 overall, the United States will face Canada for the bronze medal on Sunday (4:40 a.m. ET). For the second consecutive World Cup, Team USA will go empty-handed.
5 Lessons Learned From the USA’s Loss To Germany in FIBA
Here are the startling result’s five most important lessons.
1. The U.S.’s third quarter was poor.
At the half, USA was up 60-59 and had the momentum completely on its side.
Then, Germany started off strongly, scoring in transition and sinking jump shots en route to an 11-4 run and a six-point lead.
The third quarter saw Germany defeat the United States 35-24 thanks to back-to-back triples from Andreas Obst.
While Austin Reaves (10) and Mikal Bridges (15 points each) combined for 40 points for Team USA in the first half, they only managed to score one goal in the third quarter.
Entering the fourth, Germany was in the lead by ten.
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2. Germany’s Obst delivers in a pinch
Early in the fourth, Germany pushed their advantage to 12, but the U.S. went on a run and reduced the gap to one courtesy of Edwards’ heroics.
With 15 of his game-high 24 points coming in the second half, Obst made the final of his three game-changing plays at that precise time.
The sharpshooter snagged the inbounds pass in the corner as Germany clung to a 108-107 lead. Tyrese Haliburton, the defender, fell to the ground as a result of his shot fake. With 1:14 remaining to play, Obst made the 3-point shot while being wide open as a result.
On the following possession, Isaac Bonga stopped Bridges, and Dennis Schroder made a short jump shot to give Germany a six-point lead in the last seconds.
3. The size of Germany overwhelms Team USA
With its obvious size advantage, Germany was able to collect 16 offensive rebounds and score 25 points on second chances.
While Obst primarily operated outside, his teammates controlled the lane. Against the weaker USA team, big men Franz Wagner (22 points) and Daniel Theis (21) received all the shot attempts they desired.
Germany performed a fantastic job of blocking the paint and denying Team USA’s dribble-driven attempts on defence.
4. Germany wins thanks to precise execution
Styles, as they say in boxing, decide bouts. The same is true of this contest. Germany relied on a more balanced approach, while the USA players were more athletic and aggressive and depended on a lot of one-on-one play to score.
Germany had more drive-and-kick and pick-and-roll opportunities due to their increased ball movement, which led to more open shots. On his route to 17 points and nine assists while serving as the show’s director, Schroeder oversaw the American team’s defensive ball pressure.
Germany had three players with 21 points or more, and they were at their best when the game was on the line.
5. Edwards is undeniably a star.
Anthony Edwards, the All-Star wing for Minnesota, put on a display despite the outcome.
Through seven games, he has maintained his position as the top player for the USA, with a team-high 23 points on 10-for-17 shooting, in addition to eight rebounds and three assists on Friday. When it appeared like Germany was about to retreat, Edwards imposed his will and kept the United States within reach.
He has delivered more than simply the highlight-reel dunks for which he is renowned with one game remaining. He now scores 18.1 points, pulls down 4.6 rebounds, and assists 2.7 times a game.
Reaves put up another impressive performance with 21 points, while Bridges (17 points) and Jalen Brunson (15 points) all performed admirably against Germany.
These are the 5 Lessons Learned From the USA’s Loss To Germany in FIBA. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
