Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Thompson leads US to 114-54 dispatch of Finland in Worlds
Share This Post
Comments
Saturday, August 30, 2014 - 2:30pm

BOX SCORE

BILBAO, Spain -- The U.S. held Finland without a basket in the second quarter, opening defense of its title with a 114-54 romp Saturday in the Basketball World Cup.

Silencing the Finns in the second quarter on the scoreboard and in the stands, where their rabid fans filled an entire side of the arena, the Americans allowed just a pair of free throws in the period, outscoring their overmatched opponents 29-2 to open a 60-18 advantage.

Klay Thompson scored a team-high 18 points and Anthony Davis had 17 for the U.S. 

Thompson's Warriors teammate Stephen Curry scored four points and collected five assists in 18 minutes. He was 0-for-5 from three-point range.

Sacramento Kings Rudy Gay and Demarcus Cousins both played well. Gay collected 10 points and five rebounds in 17 minutes and Cousins tallied nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds in 16 minutes.

Team USA will play Turkey on Sunday in a rematch of the 2010 world basketball championship gold-medal game.

The event has since been renamed, but nothing else looks different for the Americans, who won their 55th straight game.

Finland was 0 for 17 in the second quarter, missing all six 3-point attempts, and missed 19 straight shots over the second and third quarters before Tuukka Kotta ended the drought with a basket with 8:48 remaining in the third that made it 62-20.

The Finns were making their World Cup debut as a wild card and didn't do much to prove they deserved it after the opening minutes. They missed all 13 3-point attempts in the first half but finally saw some shots fall after halftime when the game was long decided, giving their expected 8,000 fans who traveled here the chance to cheer.

The Americans played just four exhibition games and acknowledged they would have to use their five group stage games to continue improving a team whose players average just over 24 years of age, the youngest it has ever sent using professionals.

No problem against the Finns, where their size and athletic advantages made it look like men against boys.

And even if they draw host Spain in Madrid on Sept. 14 in the championship game, they wouldn't face a crowd that was much louder than this.

Fans wearing Finnish blue and white were pouring out of the exits of the metro station outside the arena by the dozens more than two hours before the start, looking like college football alums arriving for a Saturday morning tailgate.

They filled nearly every seat behind one of the baskets, cheering loudly from warmups straight through the opening minutes, when Erik Murphy made the game's first basket. He had Finland's next bucket to tie it at 4 but then picked up a third foul just over 2 minutes into the game and had to go to the bench, leaving the Finns without nobody who could compete in the paint.

It was 31-16 after one, but after Teemu Rannikko's free throws cut it to 39-18 with about 6 1/2 minutes remaining, the U.S. scored the final 21 points of the half, forcing a missed shot on defense, then running out for a layup.

Every U.S. player scored.

Finland finished just ninth in last year's European championship, failing to qualify automatically for the World Cup. But the Finns, ranked 39th, became the lowest-ranked team ever to receive a wild card, with basketball governing FIBA noting Finland's improvement on the court and the strength of its fan base.

And it didn't hurt that Finnish company Rovio, maker of the Angry Birds games, offered to provide advertising for FIBA if Finland was selected.

But none of those could help on the court, where all the best players were wearing red, white and blue and delivered highlight plays, with Derrick Rose flashing his old explosiveness with a second quarter drive and dunk.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Baalke: Not enough information to make decision on McDonald
Trailer: 'Coming Home: James Jones'
Morning Minute: Raiders start the Carr; A's aren't Dunn; Giants split
Raiders Quick Hits: Carr taking the helm on offense

Giants

Giants lineup: Posey at first base, Susac catching
Hague resigns, Centerplate announces leadership change
Holliday, Wong lead Cardinals past Pirates, 5-4
Dodgers fall to Nats 6-4, Giants two games back in NL West
Read More

Athletics

A's lineup: Gentry in center, Freiman at first
A's recall Pomeranz, Freiman from Single-A
A's notes: Hammel, Soto forming a nice tandem
Rewind: Dunn makes his A's debut a memorable one
Read More

Sharks

Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
Sharks Outlook: Hamilton still trying to break through
Sharks Outlook: Desjardins gives fourth line some attitude
Sharks Outlook: Demers must build on strong season
Read More

49ers

San Jose Police: 'The victim had visible injuries'
Vernon Davis: 'I didn't see anything'
Boone believes he can be 'very effective' in opener
Cowboys plan to add Michael Sam to practice squad
Read More

Raiders

Raiders draft class in position to make immediate impact
Raiders Quick Hits: Carr taking helm on offense
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (9.2.14)
Barnes on the move as Raiders shuffle offensive line
Read More

Warriors

Report: Smart a 'strong candidate' to join Heat coaching staff
Unbeaten US routs New Zealand 98-71 at Worlds
Down at half, Team USA rallies to beat Turkey 98-77
Sterling says Clippers deal started with two numbers
Read More

NCAA

Ray Ratto's Top 25 college football rankings — Week 2
USC routs Fresno State 52-13 in season opener
Goff, Jefferson lead Cal over Northwestern 31-24
No. 11 Stanford routs UC Davis 45-0 in opener
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly
  • Amy G
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Giants lineup: Posey at first base, Susac catching
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Hague resigns, Centerplate announces leadership change
(3)
Holliday, Wong lead Cardinals past Pirates, 5-4
See more >

More Stories

Dodgers fall to Nats 6-4, Giants two games back in NL West
Strickland a bright note as Giants lose a Coors Field special
(15)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Toe the Rubber: Yusmeiro Petit vs. Jordan Lyles
Toe the Rubber: Yusmeiro Petit vs. Jordan Lyles
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Strickland a bright note as Giants lose a Coors Field special
  • Giants promote Gary Brown, Brett Bochy, three others
  • Instant Replay: Giants' rally comes up short against Rockies
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's lineup: Gentry in center, Freiman at first
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

A's recall Pomeranz, Freiman from Single-A
A's notes: Hammel, Soto forming a nice tandem
See more >

More Stories

Rewind: Dunn makes his A's debut a memorable one
(1)
Tigers rout Indians, remain four back in Wild Card race
See more >

A's VIDEO

Toe the Rubber: Sonny Gray vs. James Paxton
Toe the Rubber: Sonny Gray vs. James Paxton
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • A's notes: Hammel, Soto forming a nice tandem
  • Rewind: Dunn makes his A's debut a memorable one
  • Instant Replay: Dunn, A's bounce Mariners 6-1
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks Outlook: Hamilton still trying to break through
(4)
Sharks Outlook: Desjardins gives fourth line some attitude
(4)
See more >

More Stories

Sharks Outlook: Demers must build on strong season
(9)
Sharks announce training camp start date, futures games
(2)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

YSTL: Sharks make statement by removing Thornton as captain
YSTL: Sharks make statement by removing Thornton as captain
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
  • Sharks Outlook: Hamilton still trying to break through
  • Sharks Outlook: Desjardins gives fourth line some attitude
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Report: Smart a 'strong candidate' to join Heat coaching staff
Y! Sports

More Stories

Unbeaten US routs New Zealand 98-71 at Worlds
(5)
Down at half, Team USA rallies to beat Turkey 98-77
(1)
See more >

more stories

Sterling says Clippers deal started with two numbers
Thompson leads US to 114-54 dispatch of Finland in Worlds
(6)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: Curry taking charge of Team USA
YSTL: Curry taking charge of Team USA
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Report: Kings shipping G Terry to Houston
Y! Sports

More Stories

Report: Cousins cemented USA roster spot long before cuts
(2)
Kings interested in Russian guard Dmitry Kulagin
See more >

More Stories

USA routs Slovenia in final exhibition before World Cup
Final 12-man Team USA roster has local flavor
See more >

Kings Video

Spears: Cousins' status for Team USA in doubt after injury
Spears: Cousins' status for Team USA in doubt after injury
See more >

Fantasy Hoops

  • Fantasy news, analysis, draft guide, cheatsheets, projections & more
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

San Jose Police: 'The victim had visible injuries'
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Vernon Davis: 'I didn't see anything'
Boone believes he can be 'very effective' in opener
(4)
See more >

More stories

Cowboys plan to add Michael Sam to practice squad
Baalke: 49ers have been in contact with NFL
(25)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Baalke: Not enough information to make decision on McDonald
Baalke: Not enough information to make decision on McDonald
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • San Jose Police: 'The victim had visible injuries'
  • Vernon Davis: 'I didn't see anything'
  • Boone believes he can be 'very effective' in opener
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders draft class in position to make immediate impact
Scott Bair

More Stories

Raiders Quick Hits: Carr taking helm on offense
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (9.2.14)
See more >

More Stories

Barnes on the move as Raiders shuffle offensive line
(9)
Raiders completely committed to Carr
(27)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Trailer: 'Coming Home: James Jones'
Trailer: 'Coming Home: James Jones'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake play to 1-1 draw
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Quakes face RSL looking to end four-game winless streak
(1)
Union score twice late to win 4-2 over Quakes
(2)
See more >

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Strickland a bright note as Giants lose a Coors Field special
(15)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Friday Five: Warriors' five best players since 1988
(11)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

San Jose Police: 'The victim had visible injuries'
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders draft class in position to make immediate impact
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks Outlook: Hannan could have diminished role
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

A's notes: Hammel, Soto forming a nice tandem
See more >

RAY RATTO

Worst time for 49ers' McDonald to allegedly commit worst crime

TOP STORIES

  • Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake play to 1-1 draw
  • Earthquakes, Sounders finish in 1-1 draw
  • Quakes midfielder Perez Garcia has surgery on right knee

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

No. 11 Stanford routs UC Davis 45-0 in opener
Ex-Stanford star Ogwumike wins WNBA Rookie of the Year

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Baalke: Not enough information to make decision on McDonald
Baalke: Not enough information to make decision on McDonald
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California