Saitama, Japan – Andrew Bogut was no problem for the United States. Next up: Dirk Nowitzki.
Carmelo Anthony scored 20 points, and the Americans smothered Australia in the second quarter and ran away to a 113-73 victory Sunday in the second round of the world basketball championships.
Joe Johnson added 18 points, and Dwyane Wade had 15 for the Americans, who allowed only two baskets and six points in the second period en route to a 30-point halftime lead. The U.S. shot 54 percent from the field, including 14-of-27 from 3-point range, and led by as many as 42 points.
“That goes to show that when we really get focused in and play defense,” Anthony said, “we can do some damage.”
The U.S. (6-0) advanced to a quarterfinal matchup Wednesday against Germany, which beat Nigeria 78-77 behind 23 points from Nowitzki.
“I think we’re as ready as we’re ever going to be right now,” U.S. point guard Chris Paul said.
The Germans were the bronze medalists in the 2002 world championships. The Americans were sixth that year, their worst performance ever in a major international tournament. But they continue to look like one of the favorites in Japan after surpassing the 100-point mark for the fifth time in six games.
The U.S. is averaging 109.3 points in the tournament. All 12 players scored against Australia.
And this time, the defense was there, too. The Americans weren’t always sharp on that end during pool play, when they allowed 85.6 points per game.
“Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) made it a point to let us know how good our defense was,” center Chris Bosh said. “We probably played our best defensive game and I think that’s going to catapult us into the rest of the games.”
Bogut, the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NBA draft and a current Milwaukee Buck, led Australia with 20 points. But after a strong start, he was scoreless for a stretch of more than 15 minutes when the Americans outscored the Australians 45-14. Former Metro State players Mark Worthington and Luke Kendall scored five and three points, respectively, for the Aussies.
United States 27 32 29 25 – 113
Australia 23 6 20 24 – 73
UNITED STATES
James 2-5 0-0 5, Battier 4-5 0-0 12, Brand 4-7 0-0 8, Anthony 4-11 9-11 20, Paul 1-5 0-0 2, Johnson 7-13 2-2 18, Hinrich 1-1 0-0 2, Jamison 1-3 0-0 3, Wade 7-12 0-1 15, Bosh 4-4 3-4 12, Howard 3-3 2-4 8, Miller 3-7 1-1 8. Totals 41-76 17-23 113.
AUSTRALIA
Smith 1-6 0-0 2, Worthington 2-4 0-0 5, Bogut 6-14 7-9 20, Mackinnon 3-5 2-4 8, Bruton 2-6 0-0 5, Barlow 2-4 1-1 5, Kendall 1-5 1-2 3, Newley 5-12 2-2 15, Kickert 0-1 0-0 0, Bruce 3-4 0-0 6, Helliwell 1-3 2-2 4, Hinder 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-64 15-20 73.
3-point goals – United States 14-27 (Battier 4-5, Anthony 3-6, Johnson 2-6, Jamison 1-1, Bosh 1-1, Wade 1-2, Miller 1-2, James 1-3, Paul 0-1); Australia 6-25 (Newley 3-7, Worthington 1-2, Bogut 1-3, Bruton 1-3, Mackinnon 0-1, Kickert 0-1, Bruce 0-1, Kendall 0-2, Smith 0-5). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – United States 38 (Bosh 9), Australia 39 (Mackinnon 7). Assists – United States 24 (Hinrich 5), Australia 15 (Bruton 4). Total fouls – United States 19, Australia 26. A – N/A.
