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Durant leads US to rout of China

The US men's basketball team steamrolled yet another opponent as they warmed up for their Olympic title defence with a 106-57 demolition of China.

Kevin Durant scored 19 points, Klay Thompson added 17 and the US basketball team rolled to a second straight blowout exhibition victory, with a 106-57 rout of China on Sunday night.

DeMar DeRozan scored 13 points in his hometown, and DeMarcus Cousins had 12 points and seven rebounds in another impressive performance on the team's pre-Olympic tour.

The newly assembled outfit looked remarkably cohesive for long stretches against an overmatched opponent with no current NBA players, China held to just 30.9 per cent shooting from the field.

After opening their showcase tour by trouncing Argentina in Las Vegas on Friday night, the US side - which hasn't lost a game since the 2006 world championships, moved to 47-1 in exhibitions since NBA stars took over the roster in 1992.

Durant, one of the two returning American gold medallists from London, was booed by the LA crowd during the introductions, but quickly found his outside stroke with 14 points and four assists in the first half.

The Chinese team's most recognisable player, Yi Jianlian - the No.6 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft who spent five seasons with four NBA teams - led his side with 18 points.

The teams meet again Tuesday in Oakland and will also meet in the opening game of Olympic competition in Brazil.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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