The Tall Blacks assistant coach Dillon Boucher says avoiding Turkey in the round of 16 is a bonus for them at the world men's basketball championship.
The New Zealanders scored an 82-70 victory over France on Friday morning, the margin great enough to have them finish third in their group ahead of the French.
That sets up a last 16 match against Russia, instead of a clash with the unbeaten hosts Turkey, which Boucher believes will be huge.
France led after the first quarter, before the New Zealanders took control and were ahead by 15 at one stage.
The match against Russia is on Tuesday morning, while France will have to play hosts Turkey who went unbeaten in pool play.
