Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.comToronto Raptors fans will have two very good reasons to turn into Thursday’s World Cup semifinal match up between Lithuania and Team USA (LIVE ON NBA TV Canada, 3PM EST). After Lithuania’s 73-61 victory over Turkey and USA's 119-76 dismantling of Slovenia on Tuesday afternoon, the two nations will face off for an opportunity to make it to Sunday’s gold medal game.
Valanciunas came up big for Lithuania in Tuesday’s victory, posting a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double in 27 minutes. He shot 5-for-9 from the floor. Renaldas Seibutis led Lithuania with 19 points and Martynas Pocius added 13.
While Lithuania trailed early in the game, they were able to overwhelm from the three-point line, making 10 of their 19 attempts from beyond the arc in comparison to just 3-for-18 shooting from three for Turkey. Lithuania clamped down in the fourth, outscoring Turkey 26-17 in the final frame.
“The main task was defence,” Valanciunas told Ball in Europe’s Emmet Ryan. “We executed on defence. We were rotating pretty good. Following that we won the game.”
Looking quick and light on his feet throughout the tournament, Valanciunas was strong on the glass against Turkey. Picking up a technical foul midway through the third quarter, the 22 year-old was taken out of the game to cool himself down. He returned to the game with 1:39 remaining in the third once he had regained his focus. After the game, Valanciunas said he enjoyed the challenge of playing against New Orleans Pelicans’ big man Omer Asik.
After a sluggish start -- James Harden and Stephen Curry combined to shoot 0-for-12 in the first half -- Team USA used a 70-point second half explosion to pick up an easy blowout victory in the second game of the day. Klay Thompson led USA with 20 points while Kenneth Faried added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite the blowout win, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan only played nine minutes. He was an efficient scorer during his time on the court, though. Scoring six points, DeRozan was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, adding two rebounds, two fouls and a turnover.
“We’re starting to clean up a lot of stuff that we’ve got to get right going into the next game,” DeRozan told Ryan. “but it’s going to be a hell of a game and we’re looking forward to it.”
Thursday’s Lithuania/USA match up will see Valanciunas and DeRozan face off in international competition for the first time since they became Raptors teammates in 2012.
“I’m looking forward to playing against him,” Valanciunas said. “He’s a great guy. I’m more than excited to see him on the court. They’re a really, really good team. It’s going to be not easy to play against those guys. I’m looking forward to see those guys on the court."
USA filled out its roster with big men in preparation of a potential gold-medal showdown with the Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka suiting up for Spain, and the likes of Anthony Davis, Faried and DeMarcus Cousins should expect to be tested by Valanciunas. Of course, the reverse is also true: facing Team USA is the ultimate test for every team and player at the World Cup, and the Lithuanians are no exception. For Valanciunas and DeRozan, the semifinal represents both national pride and bragging rights in Toronto.
“It’ll definitely be cool, especially to see my teammate,” DeRozan said. “I know he’s been playing extremely well for them. It’s going to be a heck of a game.”