Team USA’s Anthony Edwards in the Fiba World Cup. –FIBA BASKETBALL
MANILA, Philippines–Anthony Edwards expressed confidence that Team USA can hurdle the next challenge of its Fiba World Cup campaign: facing Montenegro and Lithuania in the second round.
The Americans swept Group C after a 110-62 rout of Jordan at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday in a lopsided affair that served as a preparation of sorts for the second round action which starts two days from now.
“I think we’re going to win,” Edwards said before the post-match press conference concluded. “We’re unbeaten and I think we got a great chance of winning. We got a great coaching staff, we got great players and our confidence is at an all-time high, so we’re not really worried about those guys.”
Edwards’ comments came even if the Americans are heading to tough battles with Nikola Jucevic and Montenegro on Friday and the talented Lithuanians led by Jonas Valanciunas on Sunday.
Lithuania topped Group D with convincing wins over Montenegro, Egypt and Mexico.
Winning both games will definitely assure Team USA’s place in the knockout phase of international basketball’s biggest stage.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star scored 22 points for his best offensive output at this phase of the competition.
ANT MAN WINDMILL JAM
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🇺🇸 #USABMNT #WinForUSA pic.twitter.com/16N9PlITPX— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 30, 2023
Edwards made 8-of-16 shots including three triples while also converting a windmill dunk during a wide-open transition play in the third that brought the house down.
“It’s nothing that changed for me,” said Edwards, who was somewhat a pedestrian during the wins over New Zealand and Greece. “I was as aggressive as the last game, just staying aggressive, staying confident. It’s just something that I do and work on my game.
“So I mean, it paid off today,” he added.