Holders United States and dark horses Slovenia eased into the basketball World Cup knockout stages with two games to spare but eastern European giants Lithuania left themselves with work to do after a surprise defeat by Australia on Tuesday.

Unfancied Ukraine produced the day’s other upset with a 64-58 defeat of Turkey while the Dominican Republic boosted their own hopes after a 74-68 success against Finland.

The Americans looked a little fazed as New Zealand’s Tall Blacks performed their traditional pre-game haka, but showed no nerves in a one-sided contest as Anthony Davis led the charge with 21 points and nine rebounds in a 98-71 rout.

US coach Mike Krzyzewski, who criticised his team after a tepid first-half display in Sunday’s 98-77 win over Turkey, praised his men this time.

“It was a good, solid performance and I thought the intensity was excellent,” the 67-year old told reporters.

With the NBA’s top players declining invitations to play in the World Cup, a weakened but hungry-looking US team were helped by 12 points apiece from Golden State Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Slovenia enjoyed a comfortable 89-72 win over South Korea as Phoenix Suns playmaker Goran Dragic nailed 10 of his 14 shots from the field to finish with a game-high 22 points.

With host nation Spain and Greece advancing on Monday, the battle for the remaining 12 knockout stage berths is set to go down to the wire in all four preliminary pools.

Lithuania, the bronze medallists in 2010, were expected to cruise into the last 16 but got a rude awakening from a spirited Australia side who survived a second-half onslaught to earn an 82-75 victory.