Dennis Schroder had an evening to neglect within the FIBA quarterfinals in opposition to Latvia however Germany advance to play USA and Schroder’s former Lakers teammate Austin Reaves within the semi-finals.
Usually, the factors circulate fairly simply for Schroder however issues didn’t go his approach in opposition to Latvia.
He managed simply 9 factors on 4-26 pictures, one rebound, 4 assists and recorded 4 of the staff’s eight turnovers.
It was a far cry from his ordinary 22.1 factors, 2.3 rebounds and seven.1 assists that he’s averaged on the FIBA event up to now.
The 29-year-old signed with the Raptors as a free agent in July however he hasn’t forgotten about his man Reaves in LA and the wild playoffs run they skilled final season.
“That’s my guy man,” Schroder said of Reaves. “I ain’t got nothing but love for him. He’s my guy. Last year was special, what we accomplished as teammates and yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
The matchup between USA and Germany looks like a mismatch on paper, because the US have 12 NBA gamers to Germany’s 4.
But Germany’s unbeaten run within the FIBA event exhibits they’re one of many favorites to take house a medal.
They have been additionally bolstered by Franz Wagner in opposition to Latvia, who couldn’t have made his return at a greater time.
With Schroder struggling, his teammate Wagner took issues into his personal palms and scored 17 factors to go together with eight rebounds and three assists within the slender win.
The Orlando ahead hadn’t performed since Germany’s opening spherical in opposition to Japan the place he injured his ankle.
So with him within the lineup, the Germans can be much more formidable.
However, the USA have had a really sturdy marketing campaign themselves, solely dropping one recreation in a shock upset to Lithuania.
Reaves has been a stable contributor off the bench as he averages 11 factors, 2.5 rebounds and three assists.
USA received the higher of Germany in an exhibition recreation, which they received 99-91 however now the stakes are a lot larger.
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