'Melo leads USA to 94-85 win over Italy
SAPPORO, Japan (AP) -- With a record 35 points by Carmelo Anthony and first place in its group, the United States had plenty to celebrate Wednesday night.
Anthony scored 19 points in the third quarter, leading the Americans back from a 12-point deficit to beat Italy 94-85 -- their toughest test yet in the world championships.
Playing extensive minutes with fellow captains Dwyane Wade and LeBron James after U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski was forced to scrap his two-unit rotation, Anthony went 13-of-18 from the field, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range.
He broke the U.S. scoring record set by Kenny Anderson, who scored 34 points in a 1990 world championships game -- for a team also coached by Krzyzewski.
Wade added 26 points, helping the Americans (4-0) finally seize control for good midway through the fourth quarter with six points and an assist during a 10-2 spurt that gave the U.S. a 13-point lead.
The U.S. clinched the top seed in Group D and will face the fourth-place team from Group C on Sunday in the round of 16.
But the U.S. wasn't the only team that walked off the floor with pride. The Italians gathered in a circle after the game ended and applauded themselves, knowing how close they had come to duplicating a victory over the U.S. in 2004.
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