The United States overcame Germany 85-65 here on Wednesday to set up a clash with European champion Greece in the semifinals of the 2006 World Men's Basketball Championship.

Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points and LeBron James added 13 in the Americans' seventh consecutive win at the 24-team tournament.

Dwyane Wade (R) of the U.S. looks out of a team huddle after their quarter-final win over Germany at the world basketball championships in Saitama August 30, 2006. [Reuters]

The United States shot 14-for-44 from the field in the first half but finished with 32-for-85, compared to 21-for-54 for Germany.

"We did our defense and offense today," said Anthony, who was 7-for-19 from the field. "We just keep shooting and we know we will hit them."

"Greece is a tough team, we have watched them on TV," added Anthony. "They are very physical and we should get prepared for them."

Having an narrow 40-39 lead at the half time, the United States pulled away after the game resumed with a 20-6 run, capped by an alley-oop lay-up plus a free throw by Chris Posh, for a 60-45 lead late in the third quarter and never looked back.

"It happened in a few minutes and they made the run, and it's hard to get back into the game," said Dirk Nowitzki, who was held to 3-for-12 from the field to finish with 15 points for Germany.

"I just did not find my rhythm today," he added.

"The Americans pressed hard in the second half and we made some turnovers to allow them pull away," said Johannes Herber of Germany. "It's hard to come back against a team like the United States."

Germany was outrebounded 48-34 and forced to 24 turnovers.

It was hotly contested in the first half. The two sides exchanged leads frequently before Anthony made a three-pointer to give the United States a 40-39 lead at the half time.

Earlier on Wednesday, Greece tamed France 73-56 in the other quarter-final match.

Lazaros Papadopoulos and Antonis Fotsis had 14 points apiece and Dimitris Diamantidis added 13 in the Greeks' seventh straight win at the 24-team tournament.

Greece built a 34-24 lead at the half time while France never cut its deficit under eight in the second half.

"We played good defence, and I'm happy that we are one of the best four teams in the world," said Diamantidis, who also grabbed eight rebounds. "We might meet the US next round. That's not something to be happy with."

France was held to 14-for-42 from the field, with Michael Gelabale the only French player scoring in double digit with 12 points.

"We played with discipline and patience. This game showed we can control the game and it's a very important win for us. I want to congratulate my players because they put the team on top of the egos of themselves. They help each other and let the team go up step by step," said Greek coach Panagiotis Yannakis.

After almost three minutes without a basket for either side, Gelabale had the first goal with a layup to give the only lead for France in the whole game.

The first quarter witnessed a 12-8 score line for the Greeks.

"We had never started the game like today. We wasted too much time to find our rhythm and to get excited, but we had never really got into the match," Aymeric Jeanneau of French said.

French coach Claude Bergeaud seemed angry with his players.

"My players were not confident with themselves. Some players didn't move much during the game. That's a surprise for me to see my players collapsed under such pressures. I don't know why," said Bergeaud.

The semifinals are set for Friday when Argentina takes on Spain and the United States plays Greece.