 |
|
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
   |  | |||||||||||||||||||||
Anthony leads United States rally
 Anthony helped to spark a furious comeback by the favorites. SAPPORO, Japan -- The United States outgunned sharp-shooting Italy 94-85 to preserve their perfect record at the world basketball championship on Wednesday. Carmelo Anthony exploded for 35 points as the odds-on tournament favorites overturned a 45-36 halftime deficit to win their fourth straight in a physical Group D clash. The U.S. endured a torrid first half but outscored Italy 35-19 in the third quarter. Anthony and Dwyane Wade sparked a furious American comeback. Wade finished with 26 points. Marco Belinelli led Italy with 25 points as the Olympic silver medallists, already guaranteed a place in the knockout stage, dropped their first game. The Americans, aiming to end a six-year Olympic or world title drought, had already qualified for the last 16 after three comfortable wins in their previous round-robin games. The U.S. finished an embarrassing sixth at the last world championship in Indianapolis in 2002 and had to settle for bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. They won the last of their three world titles in 1994 and their last Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Games. Olympic gold medallists Argentina crushed Nigeria while Spain beat African champions Angola to give both teams a perfect 4-0 record at the world basketball championships in Sendai on Wednesday. Chicago Bulls forward Andres Nocioni scored 23 points, including five three-pointers, in a 98-64 hammering of Nigeria in Group A that locked up Argentina's place in the last 16. San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili added 20 for Argentina. The Olympic champions look the most likely challengers to favorites U.S. for the gold medal. In Group B, Pau Gasol led Spain to a 93-83 win over Angola, the Memphis Grizzlies forward scoring 28 points as the group leaders extended their win streak to 13 games. Gasol also provided the game's highlight moment, stuffing home an ally-oop dunk from Toronto Raptors guard Jose Calderon in the opening period in Hiroshima. China got their first win in four Group D games by beating winless Senegal 100-83 in Sapporo, keeping their faint hopes of reaching the last 16 alive. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming again led the way for the Chinese as the tournament's top scorer dropped in 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds in another dominant display. "I'm really happy for the guys that we finally got a win," China's Lithuanian coach Jonas Kazlauskas told reporters. "It's a big success for the team." Knockout stagesChina must beat Slovenia in their final group game on Thursday to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stage. European power Lithuania leveled their record at 2-2 by overwhelming Australia 78-57 in Group C to leave the Boomers in trouble at 1-3. Madrid-based guard Igor Rakocevic scored 26 points as defending champions Serbia & Montenegro also claimed their second victory with a 90-65 rout of Venezuela (1-3) in Group A. Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki hit 25 points as Germany eased past winless Panama 81-63 to win their third game in Group B. Turkey preserved their perfect record with a 76-69 victory over a Qatar team looking to salvage some pride after losing all three of their previous Group C games. Slovenia beat Puerto Rico 90-82 in Group D to leave both teams on 2-2. The knockout stages begin in Saitama on Saturday. 
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
| © 2007 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map. |
|
External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pay service with live and archived video. 
