U.S. dominates again in win over Slovenia

SAPPORO, Japan – After the United States whipped Slovenia 114-95 Tuesday night, LeBron James was asked if he would guarantee a FIBA world championship.

“No way,” James said with a chuckle. “It’s too far away.”

But after three double-digit victories, the idea of the U.S. winning its first world championships since 1994 isn’t far-fetched.

The U.S. has won its first three Group D games – against Puerto Rico, China and Slovenia – by an average of 20.3 points. It hasn’t trailed after halftime.

The Americans faced their sternest test in group play early this morning against Italy, which improved to 3-0 with a comeback victory over Senegal.

“We’re improving every game,” U.S. forward Shane Battier said. “If we can continue to play the defense we’ve shown in stretches for longer stretches, we’re going to be in very good shape for this championship.”

The victory over Slovenia clinched a trip to the second round, which was seen as a foregone conclusion.

Captain Dwyane Wade had 20 points to lead the U.S. in scoring for the second game in a row. Wade is the team’s top scorer, averaging 19.7 points per game.

LeBron James added 19 points, Elton Brand 16 and Carmelo Anthony 14 for the Americans, who shot 56 percent from the floor.

Point guard Chris Paul had nine assists and two turnovers. Kirk Hinrich led the U.S. with seven rebounds.

Sani Becirovic scored 18 points to lead Slovenia, which had five players in double figures.

The U.S. used a potent combination of defense and 3-point shooting to blow the game open.

Three-point shooting had been one of Team USA’s few flaws in the first two games. The Americans shot 33 percent from beyond the arc against Puerto Rico and 30 percent against China.

This time, their long-range shots finally started to fall. The U.S. went 7 for 11 on 3-point shots (64 percent) in the first half and finished 10 for 20 (50 percent).

Battier went 3 for 3 from beyond the arc and James and Antawn Jamison each hit 2 of 4.

“It’s a totally different thing when they’re hitting 3-point shots,” Slovenian swingman Bostjan Nachbar said. “When they make 3s, you can’t pull the defenders in and hope for rebounds. That opens the lane, and then they’re really tough to stop.”

At the defensive end, the U.S. struggled to stop the Slovenians in the early going but quickly adjusted. Slovenia had its biggest lead – 21-16 – with 2:45 to play in the first quarter when the Americans went on an 11-0 run. During the spurt, the U.S. forced three turnovers in less than 2 minutes.

With four NBA players, the Slovenians weren’t awed by Team USA. But they needed to take better care of the ball to have any hopes for a massive upset. They also needed to hit 3-point shots to stretch the American defense.

Slovenia made only 2 of 6 3-point shots in the first half and finished 6 for 15 (40 percent).

The U.S. harried Slovenia into 16 first-half turnovers, which led to 22 points.