Team USA will face Canada for the bronze medal on Sunday after falling to Germany, 113-111, in the semifinal round.

USA vs. Germany review

For the second-straight FIBA World Cup, the United States will leave the tournament without a gold medal. 

Team USA’s 2023 World Cup campaign ended at the hands of Germany on Friday morning, a 113-111 loss that highlighted the Americans’ shortcomings in the competition.

There is no doubt the US roster was the most physically gifted and talented in the tournament. Team cohesion and the lack of a well-rounded roster is where the Americans came up short.

In its 110-104 loss to Lithuania in the second group phase, the US was outrebounded by 43-27, allowing 18 offensive rebounds. Its lack of big men - the only true forward on the court at most times was Jaren Jackson Jr. - played a major factor in how its opponents game planned against the star-studded roster of NBA players.

On Friday, it was the same story. 

Team USA’s lack of frontcourt size and willingness to rebound plagued them again – Germany recorded 12 offensive rebounds and a whopping 25 second-chance points to the USA’s eight. 

Despite the Americans dominating in in transition (28 fast break points to Germany’s 20) and from the bench (39 bench points to Germany’s 23), the discrepancy in second-chance opportunities gave the Germans the edge.

Anthony Edwards (23 PTS) and Austin Reaves (21 PTS) led the US in scoring, while Tyrese Haliburton (8 AST) and Jalen Brunson (15 PTS, 7 AST) facilitated.

Germany used a more balanced scoring approach, as three players scored 20+ points and six reaching in double-figures. Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22 PTS) was a catalyst for the winning team.

Up four with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Germany stretched the lead to 10 by the start of the fourth, then traded baskets for much of the final period, enough to hold off a late American push. 

The US scored nine-straight points in the closing minutes of the game but it was not enough to overcome the Germans’ lead.

bet365 News Team

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