The formalities of group play are finally over for Team USA at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and now the games really start to matter when the Round of 16 begins on Saturday. The Americans face Mexico in the first-round of elimination games, and Team USA is a heavy favorite to advance.
USA vs. Mexico, FIBA World Cup: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
After going 5-0 in group play, Team USA should have little trouble against Mexico in the Round of 16.
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Team USA romped through Group C, going 5-0 with an average margin of victory of 33.2 points. The Americans received only one “scare” when Turkey competed with them for nearly three quarters, but Team USA still won that contest by 21 points.
Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried have led the way, with both players leading the squad in scoring and rebounding. Davis is averaging 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in the World Cup, while Faried is averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds. Faried is shooting a ridiculous 79.1 percent from the field.
James Harden has been solid at the guard position, averaging 12.6 points and 4.4 assists in group play. Harden is shooting 58.9 percent in the tournament, and he's even leading the team in steals with 13.
At the point-guard spot, Kyrie Irving is "all good" after taking a nasty fall late in Team USA's victory over Ukraine on Thursday. Irving has been solid as the starter over the course of the World Cup, averaging 9.8 points and 3.8 assists while shooting 52.6 percent from the field.
Irving's backup, Derrick Rose, has really struggled offensively in the tournament, shooting just 25.0 percent and 10.0 percent from three-point range. But the most important thing for Rose is his health, and he escaped the gauntlet of five games in six days in good health.
For Mexico, getting to the Round of 16 is a major accomplishment. In fact, it’s the first time Mexico has ever qualified for the elimination round in this tournament.
Mexico qualified for the Round of 16 out of Group D with an 87-71 victory over South Korea. Mexico won one other game in group play, defeating Angola by 24 points in its third game. Mexico was blown out by Slovenia and lost to Lithuania and Australia, so Team USA should have its way with them.
Gustavo Ayon leads Mexico in scoring and rebounding, with averages of 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. Ayon is shooting 62.5 percent from the field in the World Cup. Francisco Cruz and Héctor Hernández are the two other Mexican players averaging double-digit points.
Game Time: 10 a.m. ET
Location: Barcelona, Spain
TV: ESPN2
Online: WatchESPN
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