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Team USA routs Lithuania to advance to gold medal game at 2014 FIBA World Cup

Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried and Team USA are one step away from a perfect run to gold.

Faried scored nine points and added six rebounds and three assists as the United States advanced to the 2014 FIBA World Cup gold medal game with a 96-68 victory over Lithuania on Thursday.

Team USA will play either France or Serbia on Sunday in Madrid. France and Serbia play their semifinal game Friday.

Faried and fellow starters Stephen Curry and James Harden ran into early foul trouble against Lithuania, and the United States led by only eight points at halftime. Just as they’ve done throughout the tournament, the Americans (8-0) put the game away in the third quarter.

The U.S. went on an 18-2 run over the first 4:21 of the second half, and Lithuania never got the deficit under 18 the rest of the way.

Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 18 points for Team USA. Harden and Klay Thompson added 16 apiece.

The United States is seeking its second consecutive World Cup (formerly the World Championships) title and fourth straight gold medal in senior international competition.

Faried would join Carmelo Anthony (2008 Olympics), Chauncey Billups (2010 World Championships), Andre Iguoldala (2012 Olympics) and Antonio McDyess (2000 Olympics) to win a gold medal while a member of the Nuggets roster.