USA Basketball 2014 World Cup: #USABMNT vs New Zealand

USA Basketball 2014 World Cup: #USABMNT vs New Zealand (Photo via usab.com)

USA (2-0) vs New Zealand (0-2)

Tipoff: Tuesday, September 2, 2014- 8:30AM PDT

Location: Bizkaia Arena, Bilbao, Spain

TV: ESPN2

Livetweet: @LetsGoWarriors

Last Game:

New Zealand- Lost 76-63 vs Dominican Republic

USA- Won 98-77 vs Turkey (highlight clips)

Previous Matchups:

9/03/2002- USA won 110-62
9/23/2000- USA won 102-56

Probable Starting Lineups:

USA:

PG: Kyrie Irving (11.0 PPG, 4.5 APG, 2.5 RPG)

SG: Stephen Curry (6.5 PPG, 4 APG, 2.5 RPG)

SF: James Harden (23 PPG, 4 APG, 1.5 RPG)

PF: Kenneth Faried (14 PPG, 0.5 APG, 7 RPG)

C: Anthony Davis (18.0 PPG, 0.5 APG, 5.0 RPG)

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

New Zealand:

PG: Tai Webster (4.5 PPG, 2.5 APG, 4.5 RPG)

SG: Kirk Penney (12.5 PPG, 2.0 APG, 5.5 RPG)

SF: Thomas Abercrombie (13.5 PPG, 1.0 APG, 5.5 RPG)

PF: Mika Vukona (7.5 PPG, 2.5 APG, 5.5 RPG)

C: Rob Loe (7.0 PPG, 1.5 APG, 3.5 RPG)

Head Coach: Nenad Vucinic

Keys to the game:

After Team USA got off to a slow start in the last game, they found themselves down by 5 points at half time. Although the Turkey squad may be more talented than New Zealand, it is key for Team USA to come out hot and get an early lead. Curry was only 3/11 from the field on Sunday, and both #SplashBrothers found themselves struggling to find their offensive rhythm.

Although Team USA can win games when underperforming, they do not want to let an inferior New Zealand team stay in the game for very long.

Follow @ryan_viera