Image via WikipediaISTANBUL -- An arena that was nearly covered in Slovenian green grew louder with every U.S. miss.
Playing a rare early game, the United States had stalled after a quick start, and a double-digit lead was down to five as halftime approached.
Then, every time the Americans needed them, Kevin Durant seemed to get on the scoreboard and Kevin Love was on the backboard.
Kevin Durant got Team USA off to a fast start against Slovenia. So why did he take a seat halfway through the first quarter? Chris Sheridan asked Coach K that very question. Story
Durant scored 22 points, Love added 10 points and 11 rebounds in a gritty 13 minutes off the bench, and the Americans beat Slovenia 99-77 on Sunday in an opening-round game.
"They did a great job of fighting, getting stops and making plays, and we know that we can't go out here and blow every team out," Durant said. "We had to make this a grind game and we did that, and a good job of keeping our composure."
Rudy Gay finished with 16 points for the Americans (2-0), while Russell Westbrook and Andre Iguodala each had 11. Durant shot 8 of 13 before sitting out the fourth quarter and Love always seemed to be around the ball -- even when a Slovenian player tried holding his arm so he couldn't get it.
"We're used to that playing in Spain and Greece, so it was cool," Durant said. "I think we had to do a better job of holding onto the game and keeping them quiet by making plays, and I think we did that."
Durant ripped the ball away on Slovenia's opening possession and raced in for a dunk about 20 seconds into the game. Nachbar answered with a basket, but the Americans ran off 10 straight points, with Durant nailing a 3-pointer before throwing down another dunk for a 12-2 lead.
The Americans made eight of their first 11 shots from the field and led 23-11 after one quarter, then suddenly went cold in the second.
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