MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Latvia will play either Slovenia or Lithuania for fifth place at the Basketball World Cup.
Latvia earned its trip to that game by topping Italy 87-82 on Thursday in the start of the consolation playoffs.
Slovenia and Lithuania will meet later Thursday. The winner gets Latvia in Saturday’s fifth-place game; the loser plays Italy for seventh place, also on Saturday.
Andrejs Grazulis made 12 of his 13 shots, finishing with 28 points and six rebounds to lead the winners (5-2).
Grazulis’ final shot of the night was a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left that sealed the win. Latvia finished the game 15 of 31 from 3-point range.
Aigars Skele added 12 for Latvia, which is playing in its first World Cup.
Playing the next-to-last game of his career with the national team, Gigi Datome led Italy (4-3) with 20 points. Italy played without Utah forward Simone Fontecchio, who was held out.
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