Moore expects every opponent to take best shot against USA

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Maya Moore is the main cog of the USA wheel at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women.

The Minnesota Lynx forward leads the reigning women's world champions in scoring with an average of 16 points per game and has been the go-to player for coach Geno Auriemma on those rare moments when the USA have been on the back foot.

Moore expects, or rather seeks, that every team they play comes out with their best against the USA.

"We expect to get the other team's best shot," said the 25-year-old, who was on the USA teams that won the world title at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women and took Olympic gold two years later at the London Games.

"That way, we have to play with high intensity and focus. It always makes us better. It makes us more competitive and we love that."

Moore and her teammates set a USA record for the highest margin of victory when beating Angola 119-44 on Tuesday, but she was yet looking at areas where the team can improve.

We need to continue to be on the same page. - Moore

"I think we can prevent some of our turnovers. We want to play as foul free as possible. If we don't put other teams on the (free-throw) line, we can get off and get some flow. I think those are two things we can control and get better," she said.

With all this being said, Moore has nothing but respect for every one of the USA's opponents, especially France, the team they face in Friday's Quarter-Finals.

"It's a team with great international experience. It's going to be a game where if we don't come out with our focus and respecting every minute we are out there, it could get interesting," she warned.

"This will be our fourth game together. And we are getting better. So it'll be our best game so far."

Auriemma agreed that the team has to bring their best to advance.

"When you get to this point, in the Quarter-Finals, it's not like you can afford to lose a game," he said.

"You can't afford to play poorly. You're looking at one bad night and you go home. So, our players understand that and we'll be ready."

FIBA