Austin Reaves: Team USA tough to beat when locked in defensively

Staff USA’s Austin Reaves and Bobby Portis throughout a recreation towards Italy within the Fiba World Cup quarterfinals. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web

MANILA, Philippines—Staff USA bounced again in an enormous method after trouncing Italy, 100-63, within the 2023 Fiba World Cup quarterfinals at Mall of Asia Area on Tuesday.

Simply two nights in the past, the Individuals swallowed a troublesome 110-104 loss towards Lithuania, however that’s all previously for them. 

The hunt, nonetheless, solely will get harder as Staff USA faces both Latvia or Germany within the semis.

For Austin Reaves, how properly Staff USA performs on the defensive finish would doubtless decide how far america goes with the World Cup in its last stretch.

Staff USA guard Austin Reaves. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web

“It begins on the defensive finish. Anytime you possibly can power a troublesome shot, rebound and go, it’ll make our offense so a lot better. Simply having the ability to get out and run like that, it drained them out, actually,” stated Reaves after ending with 12 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists.

“That’s form of what we want. We, clearly it’s not a secret anymore, prefer to get on transition and go. In case you don’t know that you just haven’t watched any of our video games.”

Staff USA was a menace on each ends towards the Italians, forcing 14 turnovers, half of which off steals, that led to 25 straightforward factors. The US additionally dominated the rebounding division, 51-33, and had six blocks.

America additionally shut down Italy to simply 30 p.c taking pictures from the sector, together with 7-of-38 from lengthy distance.

Count on the US to proceed to lock in defensively because the Individuals conflict with both Germany or Latvia within the semifinals on Friday.

“Defensively, if we’re locked in like this, I can’t say we’re not possible to beat as a result of clearly we bought beat final recreation, however we’ll be a tough staff to beat.”