Americans roll past Slovenia to remain unbeaten in Worlds
08.22.2006 - Updated on 08.22.2006
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Elton Brand chipped in 16 points and Carmelo Anthony finished with 14 in the victory. The Americans improved to 3-0 in Group D play, winning each game by double figures, and will next face another unbeaten team in Italy on Wednesday.
The Italians also ran their round-robin record to 3-0 with a 64-56 victory over Senegal.
Sani Becirovic scored 18 points to lead Slovenia, which fell to 1-2 in group play. Primoz Brezec and Bostjan Nachbar each finished with 15 in defeat.
Slovenia led 21-16 in the first quarter, but Wade and Brand each scored four in an 11-0 run that gave the United States the lead.
The Americans held a 30-27 edge after the opening period and led 37-33 with just over seven minutes to play in the first half, but a bucket by Anthony started an 18-4 run for the United States.
Chris Paul and Shane Battier each drilled three-pointers to fuel the big spurt and Anthony added a pair of buckets as the Americans opened a 55-37 cushion.
The Americans turned up the defensive pressure during the run and forced mistakes that resulted in easy baskets. Slovenia finished the first half with 16 turnovers as the United States went into the break with a 66-49 advantage.
Wade scored 12 points in the opening half and Brand chipped in 11. The U.S. hit 7-of-11 three-point shots in the first 20 minutes.
The second half was more of the same and the Americans led by as many as 29 points before Slovenia eventually whittled its deficit late. A basket by Rasho Nesterovic made it a 105-94 game with 2:26 to play, but Wade stopped the bleeding with an offensive rebound and a basket to restore control for the U.S.
Also in Group D on Tuesday, Puerto Rico outlasted China, 90-87 in overtime. Yao Ming finished with 29 points and eight rebounds for China, which fell to 0-3 in the tournament. Puerto Rico, after a 111-100 loss to the U.S. in its opener, has won two straight.
In other action from Group C on Tuesday, Lithuania routed Qatar 106-65, Greece edged Australia 72-69 and Turkey held off Brazil 73-71.
