USA, Lithuania advance ahead of Sunday matchup pitting Pelicans teammates

Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas will be opponents Sunday morning on ESPN2




USA, Lithuania advance ahead of Sunday matchup pitting Pelicans teammates



Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas' respective FIBA World Cup national teams won by double digits on Friday, moving on to the quarterfinal round the following week. However, both final scores belied games that were very close going into the fourth quarter. Austin Reaves made a crucial three-pointer to give the Americans a seven-point lead with just under three minutes left, and the Americans held off Montenegro. On Friday, Lithuania only led Greece by six going into the fourth quarter but outscored them 28-9 from that point on. A summary of the three games played on Friday involving New Orleans Pelicans players:

Montenegro 73, USA 85

In his second straight game off the bench in Group J, Brandon Ingram recorded two points, five rebounds, and three assists in 15 minutes of play. He made 1/3 of his field goals.
Ingram and the American team will play Lithuania and Valanciunas on Sunday. ESPN2 will broadcast the match at 7:40 a.m. Central. Due to the fact that both clubs are unbeaten and guaranteed a place in the next round, Sunday's result will have an impact on where they will finish in the quarterfinals.


Greece 67, Lithuania 92

With 15 points and nine rebounds, Valanciunas, a veteran for Lithuania in the paint, is once again close to a double-double. His three assists totaled. The starting center for New Orleans has averaged 14.0 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 62 percent from the floor during Lithuania's 4-0 record at the World Cup.


Australia 80, Slovenia 91

Slovenia was guided into the next round in Group K by Luka Doncic (19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists). In keeping with the narrative of Friday's games, Slovenia barely led 66-62 after three quarters but held a 25-18 advantage in the final ten minutes. In his two minutes of play, New Orleans guard Dyson Daniels scored three points on a perfect 1-of-1 shooting. Australia (2-2) is no longer in the running to advance to the World Cup's next round due to the defeat. The Boomers' season will come to an end against Georgia on Sunday.