Second Round Knockout
Posted on August 27th, 2006 by
Team USA just rolled past Australia, I thought the score was going to be much closer, especially after the close match between Australia and China two weeks ago.
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 FIBA World Championship.
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.
“I thought the second quarter was the deciding quarter today,” Johnson said. “We started making plays for each other. There’s no reason for us to be selfish on this team. We can all play.”
The U.S. (6-0) advanced to a quarterfinal matchup Wednesday night against Germany, which beat Nigeria 78-77 in the first game of the day behind 23 points from Nowitzki, the All-Star forward from the Dallas Mavericks. The Germans were the bronze medalists in the 2002 World Championship. #
