Team USA Beats Angola, Starts Preparing For Russia In Quarterfinals

As expected, Team USA had no trouble with Angola in their first game of the elimination round at the FIBA World Championships. Although, the 121-66 drubbing was more excessive than expected.

Chauncey Billups set the tone early for the U.S. team and finished with a game-high 19 points. Eric Gordon came off the bench with another strong offensive showing, knocking down 5 of 6 3-pointers to finish with 17 points. Danny Granger got his share of minutes as well, but couldn't get his shots to fall missing all for of his 3-ball attempts to finish with 5 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound.

Team USA moves onto a quarterfinal matchup with 5-1 Russia on Thursday. A couple of intriguing games on the U.S. side of the bracket today will have Lithuania taking on China and Argentina against Brazil. The winner of those games will play in the quarterfinal opposite the U.S. and Russia.

Here are the updated FIBA World Chamiponship brackets.

After the jump, more links of interest from the WCs, an interview with T.J. Ford and a Portland slant on the Rudy Ferenandez trade rumors.

• Catching up with T.J. Ford - TexasSports.com
  Here's an interview with T.J. Ford on the good he's been up to this summer. This is a positive piece on Ford so there's scant mention of the Pacers.
• AP: Gordon's big game helps U.S. to rout
• AP: Russia beats New Zealand 78-56 to reach quarters
  Russia reached the quarterfinals of basketball's world championships against the United States, beating New Zealand 78-56 Monday after Andrey Vorontsevich had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
• Billups' NBA Playoff Pedigree Shows in Team USA's Rout of Angola
  Chris Tomasson reports on Chauncey Billups stepping to the forefront as the money round begins.
• Team USA defeats Angola to advance to FIBA quarterfinals
  Chris Mannix thinks the undefeated U.S. team has certainly grabbed the attention of the rest of the world hoop powers.
• Russian coach: U.S. not robbed at '72 Olympics - TrueHoop Blog
  Russian coach David Blatt's comments will certainly be welcomed fuel by U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski.
• For Russian Coach, Game Against US Comes Full Circle
  Chris Tomasson has more on the Russian coach David Blatt who has plenty to say in advance of playing Team USA.
• NBA High-5: As rumors about him swirl, Rudy Fernandez is solid in World Championships | OregonLive.com
  Mike Tokito reports from Portland on the latest with Rudy Fernandez. Despite trade rumors in the U.S. which include the Pacers, Fernandez continues to play well for Spain.