The Japan men’s national team played a lot better than on Sunday, but it wasn’t good enough to post its first victory at the FIBA World Cup on Tuesday.
The Czech Republic defeated Japan 89-76 at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center.
The Asian squad (0-2) is now the only team in the four-team Group E with two losses in its first two games. Following the United States' overtime victory against Turkey late Tuesday, Japan is assured of a last-place finish in Group E and will face the bottom two teams from Group F in the consolation bracket in Dongguan.