A flat Australian men's basketball team failed to rebound from a crushing loss to Greece in its showdown with Lithuania on Wednesday, but the Boomers are still alive in the race for a second round berth at the world champs in Hamamatsu.

Lithuania put together easily its best game so far in a comfortable 78-57 triumph over the Boomers, who still appeared shell-shocked by Greece's two three-pointers in 9.2 seconds that gave them victory on Tuesday.

Australia is disappointed to be sitting 1-3 for the competition, but Brazil has been far more surprising and if the South Americans lose to Lithuania on Thursday and the Boomers can defeat minnow Qatar, Australia will still achieve its goal of a place in the knockout stage.

Young gun Brad Newley paced Australia with 15 points, while Andrew Bogut added 12, but 20 points from Lithuanian guard Arvydas Macijauskas and a 16-point, 12-rebound game from centre Robertas Javtokas steered them home.

Australia was in the game trailing by seven points at halftime, but its European opponents sensed the Boomers' lethargy and ran them off their feet in a 25-14 third quarter that broke the game open.

"(The Greece game) took a lot out of us physically and emotionally, probably more so emotionally," Newley told AAP.

"The way we went down last night was obviously terrible and to get up and front Lithuania, they're one of the greatest teams in the world and to play them at 1.30 today was very tough.

"Early on we were there, but towards the end the effects of the big game the day before showed.

"Last night was a tragedy, but these guys are a tough team and outplayed us in all aspects of the game."

Lithuania had a clear height advantage over Australia, dominating the rebound count 40-26, a problem for the green and gold throughout the tournament.

The Boomers also committed a woeful 17 turnovers in the first half, finishing with 28 for the game.

Lithuania also benefited from an easy triumph over Qatar in the early game on Tuesday, while Australia finished its epic tussle with Greece around 7pm local time (8pm AEST).

"There's only so much you can give physically and emotionally," Australian coach Brian Goorjian said.

"Their physicality and their size over the course of the game got to us.

"They also had a nice day yesterday, we were in an absolute emotional war last night and I think it showed tonight."

Newley has labelled Thursday's clash with Qatar a "grand final".

"We played our arses off, but unfortunately we didn't get the result," he said.

"It's not over yet. We have to play tomorrow like a grand final. Relying on other teams isn't great. I guess we've got to pray."

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