Mikal Bridges and Tyrese Halliburton joined forces as Team USA vented their frustration on Italy, taking a dominant 100-63 victory, and advancing to the semifinals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which took place on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After a 110-104 loss to Lithuania just two days ago, the Americans came out with guns blazing against the Azzurri, establishing a 22-point lead of 46-24 during the first half, with Mikal Bridges scoring 14 of his game-high 24 points in the opening half.
Team USA never looked back, extending their lead to 41 points in the fourth quarter, reaching 92-51, thanks to a three-pointer by Tyrese Halliburton with six minutes remaining in the game.
“It was a great defensive effort. Our guys who got after it right from the beginning put pressure on and kept the pressure on,” said Team USA head coach Steve Kerr.
“The next group came in and did the same thing and it was our best defensive effort of the tournament to this point. That’s what it’s going to take to win two more games,” added the Golden State Warriors tactician.
Halliburton delivered 18 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals, while Austin Reaves contributed 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists for the Americans, who had already surpassed their disappointing seventh-place finish in the previous edition of the world tournament.
Team USA will face the winner of the Latvia-Germany quarterfinals match-up on Friday.
Jalen Brunson scored nine points, while Brandon Ingram and Paolo Banchero, who were booed by Italian fans throughout the game, each added eight points.
On the other hand, the Azzurri were led by Simone Fontecchio, who scored 18 points along with five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Stefano Tonut contributed 11 points and five boards.
Italy still has a chance to secure a fifth-place finish in the classification phase.
The Azzurri will take on the loser of that match on Thursday.
The Scores:
USA 100 – Bridges 24, Haliburton 18, Reaves 12, Brunson 9, Banchero 8, Ingram 8, Portis Jr. 7, Hart 5, Kessler 4, Edwards 3, Johnson 0.
Italy 63 – Fontecchio 18, Tonut 11, Spissu 8, Ricci 5, Melli 5, Diouf 4, Procida 4, Severini 4, Datome 3, Polonara 1, Pajola 0, Spagnolo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14; 46-24; 83-44; 100-63
