Image via WikipediaMADRID (AP)—Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim called for a switch to his trademark “Orange” 2-3 zone with the United States clinging to a one-point lead.Kevin Durant did the rest, blocking shots by Ricky Rubio and Rudy Fernandez in the final seconds in the Americans’ 86-85 victory over Spain on Sunday in a warmup game for the world championships.
“Jim Boeheim said, `Let’s go orange,”’ U.S. head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “So we did. It was his suggestion and our guys did a good job with that.”
Durant led the United States with 25 points.
The decision to go to the zone defense for the last play caught Spain off-guard after Derrick Rose put the Americans ahead with two free throws.
“I just wanted to cover as much ground as I could and help my teammates,” said Durant, who also had 10 rebounds. “I just didn’t want to foul on a 3-pointer so I stayed down and, luckily, game over.”
The United States rallied after Spain—13 points behind after three quarters—took a one-point lead on Juan Carlos Navarro’s three-point play with 27 seconds left.
“It was one of those games that was a learning experience for us and I think we made key plays down the stretch,” Durant said. “We also played as a team and stuck through tough times.”
Rose finished with 13 points, and Lamar Odom had 12 points and nine rebounds for the United States, 3-0 on its exhibition tour.
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