Team USA rallied through an eventful second half to book their slot at the finals of this year's FIBA world cup. The American team played a tough game against the highly physical Lithuanian team to emerge the victors with a 96-68 win last night. The win effectively puts USA as the favorites to win this year's world cup.

Team USA are now just one win away from repeating as world champions. Kyrie Erving netted 18 points with teammate Klay Thompson adding another 16 points to the total tally. James Harden struggled in the first half with a two game straight scoreless first half. He however came back in the third quarter with a brilliant scoring spree, netting his first basket in a three point jump shot and adding thirteen more points afterwards, stretching a 43-35 lead to 53-35 whooping in two minutes.

The game, highly expected to be physical, did not fall short with the Lithuanian team elbowing and clawing at Team USA. The game almost erupted into violence when DeMarcus Cousins was elbowed by the Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas, while reaching for a rebound. He wound up going for a punch against the Toronto raptors center, drawing a technical foul. Disconcerted by the decision, the Americans came back from the locker room and rallied through to an 18-2 run. The team turned multiple fast breaks into their favor, mauling the Lithuanian team into submission.

Jonas Valanciunas, after the game admitted that the US team played well in the second half. He stated," they were really good in the third quarter. They made their run, so that was good from their side.'' Both Valanciunas and Mindaugas Kuzminskas scored 15 points for the Lithuanian team, which will go against the loser of the France-Serbia matchup for the third place finish.

The American team will now play either France or Serbia in the finals on Sunday. The winner will be crowned FIBA World Champions.