Kevin Durant of the United States defends Yi Jianlian of China during the USA-China exhibition gamein Los Angeles (Photo : Getty Images / Sean M. Haffey)
For the second game in a row, Kevin Durant impressed as the United States Olympic basketball team won against China in a blowout, 106-57. The former Oklahoma City Thunder forward tallied 19 points and led all players from both sides in scoring.
Klay Thompson added 17 points, DeMar DeRozan had 13 and DeMarcus Cousins scored 12 and grabbed seven rebounds in another dominating performance for the Americans, this time in the city of Los Angeles. They previously beat Argentina 111-74 Friday in Las Vegas.
The U.S. is 47-1 in exhibition games since 1992, when pro players from the NBA were allowed to participate in international competitions, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Durant, who along with fellow forward Carmelo Anthony are the only previous gold medalists in this year's squad, started off hot with 14 points and four assists in the first half, making most of his perimeter shots. Cousins dominated the interior with 12 as the Americans raced to a 55-29 lead at the halftime buzzer.
China was led by former NBA player Yi Jianlian, who spent five years playing in the NBA prior to returning to play professionally in his home country. Yi scored 18 points while second-round draft choice Zhou Qi scored only two on a measly 1-of-6 shooting. The opening possession looked disastrous for China when their first attempt was blocked by DeAndre Jordan, who subsequently dunked home an alley-oop for the game's first bucket.
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski was pleased with his team's effort and cohesiveness. "The way we won was excellent," said the long-time Duke University coach, according to the MailOnline. Krzyzewski added that they are learning more about each other and that they are growing together as a unit.
Durant was booed by the L.A. crowd during the players' introductions, presumably due to his decision to join the Lakers' and Clippers' state rivals Golden State Warriors. He has a chance to be raucously welcomed by his new team in his new home court, when Team USA plays its second exhibition game against China on Tuesday at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. It will be Durant's first appearance on the playing floor there since signing with the Warriors earlier this summer.
