While it took Team USA three full quarters to round into form, a 17-1 run that began late in the third quarter was enough for the Americans to rally back from a halftime deficit and defeat Turkey 98-77 at the FIBA World Cup. Kenneth Faried led the way with 22 points on 11-of-14 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds, Anthony Davis chipped in with 19 (all in the second half), and James Harden finished with 14.
The U.S. managed just 35 first half points, and found themselves trailing 40-35 at the break. The law of averages took over eventually, though, and by the early stages of the fourth quarter the Americans could cruise to a relatively easy victory.
On the less positive side, Derrick Rose struggled mightily, scoring just two points and dishing out zero assists in 17 minutes of action. Turkey even out-rebounded the U.S. as well. However, 28 Turkey turnovers led to 30 U.S. points, and proved to be the difference in the game.
The Americans will next meet New Zealand on Tuesday. The Kiwis are 0-2, having dropped close games to both the Dominican Republic and Turkey.
