FIBA World Championship 2010: USA Makes Short Work Of Croatia, 106-78

On Saturday, Team USA overcame a relatively slow start to cruise past Croatia, 106-78, in their first preliminary game of the 2010 FIBA World Championship. This was a rematch of the 1992 Olympic gold medal game, which, of course, the Dream Team won to capture the gold.

Croatia took a 19-18 lead in the first half, but Kevin Durant and company responded with a run that game them a 48-26 lead at halftime. Durant was the game's top scorer, but Team USA spread the ball around pretty evenly. Here are game stats from USA's top scorers:

Kevin Durant: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Eric Gordon: 13 points, 1 steal
Chauncey Billups: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Russell Westbrook: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Rudy Gay: 10 points, 4 rebounds

With this win, Team USA is now 1-0 in Group B standings, which places them at the top alongside Slovenia. At 2:30 P.M. Eastern, Group B action will continue when Brazil plays Iran.

Here are Team USA's remaining Group B games:

Sunday, August 29: Slovenia
Monday, August 30: Brazil
Tuesday, September 1: Iran
Wednesday, September 2: Tunisia