USA 111, Puerto Rico 100
SAPPORO, Japan (AP) -- The U.S. basketball team arrived in Asia two weeks before the world championships tipped off so the players could adjust to a different time zone.
However, early in their opener against Puerto Rico Saturday, the Americans looked as if they had just stepped off a flight from the United States. FIBA's top-ranked team trailed No. 11 Puerto Rico 36-32 midway through the second period.
The Americans eventually woke up and rolled to a 111-100 victory. Afterward, they acknowledged they'll have to improve if they hope to bring home the U.S.' first world championship since 1994.
"We didn't get off to the start we wanted to," guard Kirk Hinrich said. "We played in stretches. A lot of that is a credit to Puerto Rico and the way they played and the effort they gave. Moving forward, I think we're just going to have to play a lot more consistent and play better for longer periods of time."
Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points, and LeBron James and Hinrich each added 15. Chris Paul had 11 points, nine assists and five steals for the U.S., which out rebounded Puerto Rico 36-27.
The U.S. improved to 8-1 against Puerto Rico in world championship play, but the opponents weren't intimidated. Puerto Rico led 24-23 after one quarter and cut a 22-point deficit to 12 in the final 4 minutes. However, the Puerto Ricans couldn't overcome the Americans' physical superiority.
"We crashed against a genetic wall in every sense of the word," Puerto Rican coach Julio Toro said through a translator. The Americans' talent carried them through lengthy bouts of listlessness.
Krzyzewski has stressed defense during training camp. And defense helped create a spark in the first quarter. Trailing 12-9 with 6 minutes to go in the opening period, the Americans came up with steals on three consecutive possessions.
The U.S. closed out the first half with a 15-7 run capped by
back-to-back 3-pointers by Joe Johnson to take a 57-51 lead into
intermission.
The Americans were never threatened after halftime, opening the third quarter with a 12-2 run on their way to an 87-74 lead heading into the fourth. They snuffed Puerto Rico's hopes for an upset by scoring the first seven points of the final quarter.
"They did a tremendous job of moving the ball," said Arroyo, who plays for the Orlando Magic. "Playing as a team, that's what basketball is all about."
The U.S. faces China Sunday in the second of its five Group D games. The Chinese are ranked 14th by FIBA, but that doesn't mean the Americans can take them for granted.
2006 Worlds Teams and Groups:
GROUP A: Argentina, Venezuela, France, Serbia & Montenegro, Lebanon, Nigeria
GROUP B: Spain, Panama, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Angola
GROUP C: Lithuania, Brazil, Greece, Turkey, Australia, Qatar
GROUP D: USA, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Italy, China, Senegal
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World Basketball Championships Scores and News
USA 111, Puerto Rico 100: USA Wins first game
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USA 94, Italy 85; Wade leads U.S. to Victory