FIBA World Cup 2019: Czech Republic vs USA

That's it for Team USA's opening game of the World Cup as they overcome a brave Czech Republic team to take the win. There were positive for both teams, and the United States did plenty to silence those that questioned the team following a shock warm-up defeat to Australia.

This is Tristan Elliott signing off for Sportskeeda Basketball. Stay tuned to the site for more coverage of the FIBA Basketball World Cup!

Top performers from the game:
Czech Republic: Vojtech Hruban - 13 points, 3 rebounds
Tomas Satoransky - 17 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds
Team USA: Kemba Walker - 13 points on 75% shooting from the field, 4 assists
Donovan Mitchell - 16 points, 2 assists and 1 steal

Huge cheers for the Czech Republic team from the home crowd

TEAM USA wins 88-67

The Czech Republic hold the ball to close the game

The Celtics man gets to the free-throw line but misses both of his attempts

Marcus Smart has been quiet in the fourth after a terrific third quarter

39.0 seconds left and Balvin heads to the bench

Balvin once again gets to the line and knocks down 1 of his 2 attempts

White easily gets past Balvin to extend the lead to 22

Harris' attempt from deep is in-and-out before Balvin is called for the offensive foul

The Czech Republic's offense has improved in the second half, although Team USA have also raised their game

Balvin misses a wide-open jump shot before Palyza knocks down the three

Gregg Popovich looks happy on the sideline as his team head towards an opening win

Mitchell picks up the personal foul before being replaced by Jaylen Brown

Tatum also heads to the bench as Derrick White comes in

Lopez misses his own three before Sirina is called for travelling

Peterka makes the three following Marcus Smarts' turnover

The Utah Jazz star has come alive in the second quarter

Donovan Mitchell dances through the Czech defense before throwing it down!

Pumprla draws the foul but misses both free throws. Joe Harris brings down the rebound

Donovan Mitchell connects with a long two and the Czech Republic looks defeated with just over five minutes to go in the 4th

Khris Middleton is also rested as Joe Harris comes on

Marcus Smart comes back on for the excellent Kemba Walker

Excellent defense from Middleton before Harrison Barnes makes an easy layup

Pumprla and Tatum both miss layups

Middleton responds with his own three

Pumprla grabs to offensive rebounds in quick succession, and Hruban connects from deep

The Czech Republic seem on the verge of making a run, although the USA is currently keeping them at bay

Timeout called with 8.04 left in the fourth. Team USA leads by 20

Tatum's three-point effort is blocked, but Satoransky throws out the ball out of play as he attempts to set up a quick basket

Auda draws the foul but misses both free throws

Kemba Walker responds with a huge step-back effort from deep

The Czech Republic start the quarter with back-to-back layups

3Q: 🇺🇸 USA 66, 🇨🇿 CZE 48

U.S. shooting 51% from the floor. @hbarnes, @jaytatum0 & @KembaWalker all with 10 pts.#USAGotGame x #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/8tUeaQU6c4
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 1, 2019

4th quarter gets underway

Despite trailing, Satoransky has been excellent for the Czech Republic and he has 15 points

White missed the three-attempt as time expired, although Team USA is in a strong position heading into the final quarter

Team USA leads by 18 at the end of the third

However, Middleton soon dampens the crowd as he connects with a long jump shot at the buzzer

HUGE dunk from Satoransky

Barnes also drew the foul, and he collects an extra point from the free throw line

Joe Harris finds Harrison Barnes and Barnes makes the layup

Plumlee misses a simple tip-in before Bohacik attempts another three but can't connect this time

Joe Harris responds with his own three

Bohacik nails the three to narrow the lead back down to 14

Marcus Smart claims the assists, and the Boston Celtics man has made a huge impact in the 3rd

Excellent ball movement from Czech Republic but Donovan Mitchell punishes the team following a missed three

Smart gets inside the paint again to lay it in.

FIBA World Cup 2019: Czech Republic vs USA - Live Score & Updates

FINAL WHISTLE: Czech Republic 67-88 USA