Anthony’s 20 Points Lift U.S.

SAITAMA, Japan — Carmelo Anthony’s simmering hand delivered 20 points and the U.S. defense showed up last, powering the Americans into the quarterfinals of the FIBA world championship with a 113-73 victory over Australia this afternoon.

Anthony made nine of 11 free throws and Joe Johnson had 18 points to lead the U.S. But the Americans spread the scoring wealth, with Dwyane Wade contributing 15 points and Shane Battier making four of five three-point shots.

The U.S. methodically dismantled an Australian team that shot poorly and couldn’t handle the inside play of the American forwards.

The Americans made 14 of 27 three-pointers and 17 of 23 free throws.

The U.S. (6-0) tightened a defense that had sputtered throughout the tournament.Coach Mike Krzyzewski shuffled players in and out, following his tournament script of giving playing time to everyone on the roster.

“It’s a really fun way to play basketball, the guys are really unselfish out there,” Battier said. “We feel we still have some of our best basketball in front of us.”The Americans wore down the Australians, who have built their team around Andrew Bogut, the 7-foot first pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2005, who finished with 20 points.

Bogut was double-teamed often inside, forcing him to pass to teammates, who couldn’t hit the mark.

It seemed as if it would be a day for shooters, with the teams trading three-pointers early. After taking a 14-7 lead, theU.S. sputtered briefly, allowing the Australians to rally and grab the lead midway through the first quarter.

But the U.S. regrouped and led, 27-23, after the first quarter.

The Americans went on a 19-1 run and sent a frustrated Bogut to the bench after he picked up his third foul. The U.S. never let the Australians back in the game. Their lead was 30 points at the half and 39 at the end of the third quarter.

The U.S. will play Germany on Wednesday. The Germans advanced with a 78-77 victory over Nigeria behind 23 points by Dirk Nowitzki, who tipped the shot of a driving Ime Udoka and grabbed the rebound at the buzzer to preserve the victory.

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Also advancing to the quarterfinals were Argentina, Spain, Lithuania and Turkey.

Manu Ginobili scored 28 points to help make up for Argentina’s one-for-18 three-point shooting in a 79-62 win over New Zealand.

Ginobili made Argentina’s only three-pointer to give the South Americans a 70-58 lead with 3 minutes 47 seconds remaining.

New Zealand pulled to within nine points in the fourth quarter before Ginobili’s three-pointer started a 12-point run for Argentina, which got 20 points from Fabricio Oberto.

Turkey advanced with a 90-84 victory over Slovenia behind Serkan Erdogan’s 24 points, including two three-pointers.

Turkey was two for 11 from three-point range before getting hot from beyond the arc. Erdogan’s second three-pointer gave Turkey an 83-81 lead with 2:17 to play. It was the 24th and last lead change in the game.

Engin Atsur, who played at North Carolina State last season, had two of Turkey’s three-pointers in the closing run -- his only points of the game.

Pau Gasol had 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead Spain to an 87-75 victory over defending champion Serbia and Montenegro.

The 7-foot Gasol, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, won the matchup of NBA big men, outplaying 6-11 Darko Milicic of the Orlando Magic. Milicic had 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Arvydas Macijauskas scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and Lithuania overcame four missed free throws in the final seconds for a 71-68 victory over Italy.

Italy missed five free throws in the last 2.1 seconds, three by Gianluca Basile with 0.6 seconds left and his team down three points.