Anthony scores record 35 to dispatch Italy

SAPPORO, Japan – With a record 35 points by Carmelo Anthony and first place in its group, the United States had plenty to celebrate Wednesday night.

Anthony scored 19 points in the third quarter, leading the Americans back from a 12-point deficit to beat Italy 94-85 – their toughest test yet in the world championships.

“That’s probably the toughest game we had in international play so far,” Anthony said. “We’re used to beating teams by 20, 25 points in the two previous games. You come into this game thinking, ‘OK, we’re going to try to beat them by 25.’ When we thought like that, they almost were up 25 in the first half.”

Playing extensive minutes with fellow captains Dwyane Wade and LeBron James after U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski was forced to scrap his two-unit rotation, Anthony went 13 of 18 from the field, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range. He broke the U.S. scoring record set by Kenny Anderson, who scored 34 points in a 1990 world championships game.

“Carmelo was amazing,” center Elton Brand said. “He got hot, and he’s that type of scorer. He can shoot from anywhere.”

Wade added 26 points, helping the Americans (4-0) seize control for good midway through the fourth quarter with six points and an assist during a 10-2 spurt for a 13-point lead.

The U.S. clinched the top seed in Group D and will face the fourth-place team from Group C on Sunday in the round of 16.

The Italians gathered in a circle after the game ended and applauded themselves, knowing how close they had come to duplicating a victory over the U.S. in 2004.