What's next for USA at FIBA Basketball World Cup? Lithuania loss worries before knockout

Team USA won gold at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, but can it top the basketball world without gold at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup?

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After finishing seventh at the 2019 event, the Americans are looking to redeem themselves.

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Team USA breezed through the first three group games before Montenegro's difficult test raised concerns.

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Team USA lost its opening game of the tournament to Lithuania 110-104 after escaping a Montenegrin loss.

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However, Team USA has been declining since the second round, raising worries about its future.

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Team USA dropped to second in Group J after losing to Lithuania.

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A second-place finish is enough to advance, as the top two teams from Groups I, J, K, and L advance to the quarterfinals.

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Team USA must win three straight to earn gold in Manila.

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Team USA faces an undefeated Germany team and a Latvia team that shocked the world to advance to the quarterfinals.

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The Americans play Italy on Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 8:40 a.m. ET.

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THANKS FOR READING

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