Australia took it right up to the Americans, leading at half-time and in the fourth quarter as Patty Mills (30 points on 11-22 shooting) and Matthew Dellavedova (11 points, six rebounds, four assists) tore right through their defences with pinpoint passing and cuts while the rim protection at the other end of the floor from Andrew Bogut (15 points, three blocks) proved immense.
Carmelo Anthony was a thorn in the Aussies' side all game though, hitting 9-15 from beyond the arc for 31 points while the USA recorded a 21-8 offensive rebound advantage.
Anthony hit his first three three-pointers of the contest, scoring 14 points in the opening term.