The interior tag-team duo of Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried has been invaluable for USA Basketball at the FIBA World Cup, overwhelming opposing frontcourts with their energy, athleticism and activity around the rim. What’s helped make the Western Conference forwards so vital to Team USA is that even when they’re not producing big offensive numbers, they’ve still found plenty of ways to contribute.
Davis and Faried combined to score just 12 points on Saturday, but proved problematic for Mexico in the paint, as USA Basketball cruised to a 86-63 victory over its North American neighbors. Team USA advanced to the quarterfinal round and will have a rare multi-day breather before playing Tuesday in Spain vs. either Slovenia or the Dominican Republic.
Davis had reached double digits in scoring in all five games of pool play en route to shooting 63 percent from the field, but on Saturday he uncharacteristically misfired on his close-range attempts. The New Orleans Pelicans All-Star finished just 2-for-9 from the field to account for his four points, but made a dent in the box score in a wide array of other departments. While playing only the first 2 ½ quarters, Davis registered six rebounds, four blocks, two steals and one assist. Meanwhile, Faried tallied eight points, but more importantly had eight rebounds. Six of his boards came on the offensive end, as he repeatedly earned extra possessions for Team USA with his relentless attacks of the glass.