Kevin Durant Led Team USA to Easy Win in Exhibition Against Dominican Republic


The US Olympic hoops team, led by Kevin Durant cruised to an easy win last night in Vegas, defeating an overmatched squad from the Dominican Republic. The WaPo has the details: “Chances are, the Dream Team never would have found itself trailing the Dominican Republic, as this year’s Team USA did in the first few minutes Thursday at Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. But the team that thrashed the Dominican Republic, 113-59, in its first exhibition game before the London Olympics is certainly one of the more intriguing collections of talent to represent the country. Coach Mike Krzyzewski unveiled a unit that had a glut of versatility and athleticism, several interchangeable parts, no post presence — and could signal a future game of basketball that is no longer confined by positions. Kevin Durant, a small forward in the NBA, came off the bench to play center and scored a game-high 24 points after connecting on his first five attempts from beyond the international three-point line. Andre Iguodala, a wing player who can defend at least three positions, chipped in 18 points – including four-three-pointers – and two steals and was given player of the game honors afterward. ‘You see that when we have certain lineups in there,’ Iguodala said. ‘One lineup we had LeBron [James] and KD, and I was guarding the four and KD was guarding the three, but on the offensive end we’re interchangeable. We just play basketball.’ Carmelo Anthony had 13 points and Kevin Love had 11 as the Americans overcame an early 4-2 deficit to demolish an opponent that featured NBA all-star center Al Horford. Horford had a forgettable game (seven points on 1-for-12 shooting), with the United States using a relentless, trapping defense that forced 27 turnovers, resulting in 38 points. With considerable depth and quickness, the Americans overwhelmed an overmatched Dominican team that barely missed out on an Olympic berth at last week’s qualifying tournament in Venezuela. ‘They don’t put a weak player on the court,’ said Dominican Republic Coach John Calipari, fresh off winning a college national championship at Kentucky. ‘Everyone that’s on the court can do things with that basketball, can score. Obviously, they are going to get better and better, but they are really, really good.'”