Team USA’s FIBA World Cup opener was essentially a layup. Actually, it’s more appropriate to call it an uncontested slam dunk on a seven-foot hoop. Team USA held Finland without a single field goal for the entire second quarter and coasted to a 114-55 victory.
USA vs. Finland final score: Americans coast after stifling first half
Team USA held Finland without a field goal for the entire second quarter and coasted to a 114-55 victory in its FIBA World Cup opener.
RAFA RIVAS/AP
The score was 11-8 midway through the first quarter and 17-12 at one point, but that didn’t last. A quick run punctuated by three straight fast breaks pushed the lead to 30-14. This Rudy Gay slam highlighted the exchange.
But the second quarter was on another level. Two free throws by Teemu Rannikko with 6:25 left were the only points Finland scored in the entire frame. Anthony Davis was a terror defensively in that second quarter, as Team USA’s athleticism was too much for Finland to overcome. Don’t believe us? Here’s the shot chart.
Meanwhile, Team USA dropped 29 points in the second quarter, including these two from a suddenly explosive Derrick Rose.
Klay Thompson led Team USA with 18 points, while Davis scored 17. Petteri Koponen had 12 to lead the way for Finland.
Team USA faces a stiffer test Sunday when they take on 2010 second-place finisher Turkey. Turkey slipped by New Zealand in its opener Saturday.
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