USA sends message in China hoops routRIO DE JANEIRO: Kevin Durant scored 25 points as the USA’s NBA stars routed China 119-62 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to launch their bid for a third consecutive Olympic basketball gold. The former Oklahoma City forward, who joins Golden State next season, added a game-high six assists for the Americans, who set an all-time USA record of 33 free throws made. The Americans made 33 from the stripe, besting a 56-year-old team record of 32. Durant scored eight points in the first quarter and Anthony added eight more as the USA jumped out to a 30-10 lead. China, which has never finished higher than eighth, tried to slow the American onslaught with physicality, a strategy that kept USA players parked at the free-throw line.

Source: Manila Times August 07, 2016 12:56 UTC