Final Score: United States 101, Slovenia 71
James Harden and Co. are looking to make it 54 straight international wins. (Getty)
The United States basketball team once again found itself in a relatively close game late in the first half. But in the Americans’ final tuneup before opening the FIBA World Cup Saturday in Spain, the Americans were dominant in the second half en route to a blowout victory.
Anthony Davis led a 15-0 third-quarter run and the Untied States beat Slovenia 101-71 in the Canary Islands.
Click here for the full box score.
Here’s how it went down:
Team USA Won its 54th Straight Game
Team @USABasketball opens up the @FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday vs. Finland at 3:30pm/et on @ESPN! #Spain2014 pic.twitter.com/XaPGnN2z1i
— NBA (@NBA) August 26, 2014
The United States improved to 4-0 in its exhibition schedule and won its 54th straight game in international competition. The Americans haven’t lost in international play since being eliminated by Greece in the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup.
Team USA opens play in the World Cup Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern against Finland.
Anthony Davis Was Dominant
Team @USABasketball defeats Slovenia 101-71 on @AntDavis23's 18pts, 11rbs, 4blks & 4stls to finish 4-0 in exhibitions pic.twitter.com/eFjnlp85RO
— NBA (@NBA) August 26, 2014
Anthony Davis led the Americans with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals despite playing only 18 minutes and sitting out the whole fourth quarter.
The New Orleans Pelicans big man finished 5-for-7 from the field and 8-for-11 from the free-throw line in a game in which Team USA shot just 63 percent (29-for-46) from the line as a team.
Kyrie Irving Scored 13 Points
Kyrie Irving, who’s been one of Team USA’s best players all summer, scored 13 points and had 3 steals. He also opened plenty of eyes with the crossover featured in the Vine above.
The Cleveland Cavaliers guard — whose team was busy introducing Kevin Love at a news conference — finished 3-for-5 from the floor and 7-for-8 from the line. The United States outscored Slovenia by 39 points when Irving was on the floor — the best plus/minus of any player.
Team USA Ran Used a 15-0 Run to Pull Away in the 3rd Quarter
After 3, @usabasketball leads Slovenia, 81-54, on ESPN2. @AntDavis23 has 18 pts, 11 reb, 5 stl. pic.twitter.com/NjpNBKAFsg
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 26, 2014
For the second straight game, the United States took a relatively close game at the half and quickly turned it into a blowout.
A 15-0 run keyed a dominant third quarter in which the Americans stretched their lead from 11 to 27.
Slovenia Closed the Half on a 9-1 Run to Get Within 10
The hot-shooting Slovenians hit 3 3-pointers on a 9-1 run in the final minute of the half. The run trimmed a 45-26 United States lead to just 46-35 at the half.
Anthony Davis scored 11 points and Kyrie Irving added 9 to lead the U.S.
Team USA Led 24-18 After 1
1st Q exhibition: USA 24, Slovenia 18. Seven U.S. players w/ points & @AntDavis23 scored last 5 for USA, which shot just 8-15 FTs #USABMNT
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 26, 2014
The United States played well defensively in the first quarter, but led only 24-18 at the end of the first quarter largely because of 8-for-15 free throw shooting.
The Americans led 18-9 before a 7-0 Slovenia run made it 18-16. The Americans scored six of the last eight points of the quarter to finish the quarter up 24-18.
Pregame: U.S. Ready for Final Tuneup
Here’s what you need to know:
WHO: USA vs. Slovenia
WHEN: Tuesday, 2 p.m. Eastern
WHERE: Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
TV: ESPN2
LIVE STREAM: WatchESPN.com (cable log-in needed)
HEAVY’S PICK: United States 102, Slovenia 85
