Lithuania plays the United States (USA) on Thursday in the 2014 FIBA World Cup semifinals. Tipoff is at 3:00 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream below.
Team USA is two wins away from claiming the gold medal. Even without American superstars such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, the United States has managed to cruise its way into the semifinals.
New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis and Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried have been crucial for USA, leading the team in scoring with 13.7 and 13.0 points per game, respectively. Faried also leads the team in rebounding (8.1 rpg), and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousin has been productive off the bench.
The biggest boost, though, might be Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose finally knocking the rust off. After being ineffective through most of the tournament, Rose came off the bench Tuesday and dropped 12 points and five assists on Slovenia.
"We believe in Derrick," USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said, via ESPN. "And I think the lid came off or the jar was open or whatever you want to say. He had his look. ... You could see in his face he was different. And I'm glad. I think this starts the journey back to being who he is. And I think it'll happen."
Heading into Thursday, Krzyzewski is likely going to give Rose a pep talk similar to the one he gave the former MVP on Tuesday.
"It's not so much a sales pitch as it's just the focus it to 'be you,'" Krzyzewski said. "This is not a play [where] we're asking you to be an understudy or a role player. We're asking you to be you. You haven't been you for a while because of the injuries. Just be you. And he was."
Watch the live stream HERE.
