Team USA takes revenge on Italy

Two days after Lithuania stunned the United States basketball team with a 110-104 victory, Team USA rebounded by crushing Italy in the quarterfinals, 100-63. 

Mikal Bridges led the way with 24 points on 11 field goal attempts, grabbing seven rebounds in the process. Tyrese Haliburton had 18 points, five assists and three steals, including some highlight-reel passes. And while Anthony Edwards had a quiet scoring game with just three points, Team USA outscored Italy by 20 points during his 18 minutes on the floor.

Unlike their previous games, Team USA had no trouble dominating on the glass. While Lithuania and Montenegro dramatically outrebounded the Americans, who like to play small lineups under Steve Kerr, Team USA grabbed 51 rebounds to Italy's 33.

Perhaps the elation of beating Team USA worked against Lithuania, who lost badly to Serbia, 87-68. The Lithuanians had no answer for Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks, who scored 21 points, nor could they dominate the boards again.

Now Team USA awaits the winner of Germany's game with surprising Latvia, who knocked out powerhouses France and Spain already. Both teams are excellent on the glass.

That means that while Team USA has proved it can rebound from a loss, they also need to prove they can rebound against a big opponent.