The U.S. Men's National Basketball Team is 3-0 in the 2014 FIBA World Cup after staying in control the entire game against New Zealand.
Despite trotting out a small, defensively challenged starting backcourt of Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and James Harden, the U.S. never trailed in their 98-71 win over New Zealand. The win was not dominant, but the Americans certainly coasted.
"We wanted to come out with an intensity that other teams can't match," Kyrie Irving said in a halftime interview with ESPN.
Team USA opened the FIBA World Cup by blowing Finland away 114-55 on Aug. 30, then beat Turkey 98-77 the next day. Their next game is Sept. 3 against the Dominican Republic, before finishing up the group stage Sept. 4 against Ukraine.
With the round of 16 set to take place Sept. 6 and 7, the U.S. is benefitting from outstanding play from Anthony Davis. He scored 21 points and brought down nine boards against New Zealand, while recording two steals and a block.
Derrick Rose, possibly the team's best defensive guard, saw 17 minutes as a reserve and only scored three points on 1-6 shooting. On his way back from a second knee injury in as many years, Rose will likely be a reserve for the rest of the tournament, especially given the U.S.' backcourt depth.
Davis figures to continue to be the team's most important piece with DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Drummond serving as backup centers. Combined with Mason Plumlee and Kenneth Farried at power forward, the U.S. is slim in their frontcourt, magnifying Davis' role.
