USA favored to beat Lithuania, but Linas Kleiza stands in the way

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Oddsmaker BetUs.com makes Team USA a 15 1/2-point favorite over Lithuania in their semifinal match Saturday in Turkey at the FIBA World Championship tournament. The gambling site also pegs Turkey as a six-point favorite to beat Serbia in the other semifinal.

The finals are Sunday.

But there’s a familiar face leading Lithuania: 6-foot-8 forward Linas Kleiza, whom Lakers fans will remember, and not very fondly, from his four years with the Denver Nuggets. Kleiza leads Lithuania in scoring (19.1 points per game) and rebounding (7.4 rebounds per game) in the tournament.

Almost three weeks ago the USA beat Lithuania, 77-61, in an exhibition, but the Americans trailed at halftime.

Kleiza played last season in Greece, but he signed a multiyear deal this summer with the Toronto Raptors.

-- Barry Stavro