Image by Getty Images via @daylifeISTANBUL (AP)—With nothing to play for, the United States looked as if it didn’t want to play.
Outworked and outhustled, the Americans led winless Tunisia by only four points early in the third quarter before turning the game into a rout over the final 15 minutes of a 92-57 victory Thursday.
Eric Gordon scored 21 points for the U.S., which had already clinched first place in its group and was more interested in getting through this one healthy— which it didn’t do—than earning any style points.
“It’s kind of like the Tour de France, except you have to win every stage,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “You have to look good in every stage.”
The U.S. (5-0), seeded first in Group B, next plays on Monday against Angola, the No. 4 seed from Group A.
The Americans misfired on nine of 10 3-point attempts in the first half and failed to show any sustained stretches of good offense, an occasional problem for the team during the group stage. The Americans have time to clean it up, with three days off before playing their first elimination game.
“It’s kind of tough, but the good thing about it is those games are over now and every game is as big as the next one now,” Billups said.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each scored 14 points for the U.S. team and Stephen Curry had 13. Marouan Kechrid scored 15 points and Macram Ben Romdhane added 11 for Tunisia, which went 0-5 in its first appearance in the worlds.
“For our first participation, I am happy,” Tunisia coach Adel Tlatli said.
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