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U.S. 119 Slovenia 76

This game was truly a team win.

By JD King

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Kenneth Faried #7 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team dunks the ball against Slovenia Basketball Men's National Team during 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup quarter-final match between Slovenia and USA .
Kenneth Faried #7 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team dunks the ball against Slovenia Basketball Men's National Team during 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup quarter-final match between Slovenia and USA .
David Ramos

Since Coach K and Jerry Colangelo set up the new system for Team USA, there has always been a point where the U.S. team came together. This year, it might have happened in the second half against Slovenia.

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The first half wasn't very impressive, with the U.S. going into halftime up just 49-42.

What came out after halftime, in a Coach K catchphrase, was "special."

The U.S. threw a blanket over Slovenia. They started picking off passes and running startlingly quick breaks. They blocked shots. They cut off penetration.

And at the same time the offense, sparked by easy transition baskets, began to click.

In a nutshell, in the second half the U.S. put on a show. It was devastating basketball.

And most strikingly, rather than easing off in the fourth quarter, the U.S. poured it on.

Third quarter scoring: 33-22. Fourth quarter: 33-12.

The U.S. shot 64% in the second half with a lot of that coming on transition baskets, layups and dunks.

There just wasn't a lot Slovenia could do, as coach Zdovic Jure said afterwards: "We prepare but it's easy to prepare on the paper. Definitely they were so athletic, they were more aggressive second half and actually they punish every mistake."

There was no question that the U.S. had a serious advantage inside, but it was mostly the guards who punished.

The U.S. forced 24 turnovers. Kyrie Irving had four steals to lead the way, while DeMarcus Cousins had three.

He also had an absolutely gorgeous assist in the second half.

The Turks, and especially their coach, had woofed a bit about a rematch, but that won't happen.

The Turks fell to Lithuania, 73-61. Former Blue Devil Marty Pocius scored 13 for Lithuania and had three assists and two steals.

Turkey couldn't establish a scorer which isn't necessarily fatal if you can keep the other guy from scoring more.

Lithuania by contrast has a lot of guys who can shoot and most of their big guys can shoot from three point range, which changes things for the U.S.

However, Lithuania has been playing without established point guard Mantas Kalnietis, who is out with a collar bone, and Linas Kleiza, who is out with a knee injury.

Against Turkey, Lithuania hit 52.6% from three point range (10-19), with three of those coming from Pocius.

Lithuania will have to deal with the intense American pressure, but this is a team which really has a lot of heart. Houston Rocket Donatas Motiejunas is confident.

"I don't think it's impossible [to beat the Americans]. I just think we have to step it up as a team, and I think we have to play a tough game against them. That's one of the most important things, to match up their physicality. We watched the games that we were able to watch (of Team USA's). They're a tough team to beat. They have a great team, great talent, but we're ready to fight."

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