It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Team USA would reach the knockout stage at the 2010 FIBA World Championships. Now that they’ve gotten there, though, the real games begin. One loss takes Team USA out of medal contention, which would be a major disappointment.
FIBA World Championship 2010: Team USA Takes On Angola In Round Of 16 Game
But even if Team USA struggles today, they should be okay. Their Round of 16 game is against Angola, a team without much top-level talent. Angola reached the knockout round with a 2-3 record, including an upset win over Germany, but they are likely the weakest team left in the field. None of their players play abroad, whether it’s the NBA or Europe. Their best player, 35-year old forward Olimpio Cipriano, is questionable with a leg injury, and is not in the starting lineup. It would take a colossal collapse for Team USA to fall in this round.
Team USA will go with the same starting lineup they've used through the preliminaries, with Derrick Rose, Chauncey Billups, Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Lamar Odom taking the floor. There was some talk that Odom would be replaced, but it appears Mike Krzyzewski will stick with him.
The winner of today’s game will play the winner of the Russia-New Zealand game later today in the quarterfinals.
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