Durant, Westbrook Lead Team USA Past Croatia

Originally Published: Aug 28, 2010 1:19 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Team USA passed its first test on Saturday, thanks in large part to the Thunder’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

The U.S. defeated Croatia, one of the tougher teams in Group B, 106-78.

Durant played less than half of the game due to the wide margin but still led the U.S. in scoring with 14 points and had six rebounds and three assists.

Westbrook came off the bench to provide 11 points and four assists.

Team USA shot 55 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range against the Croatians.

Croatia led 19-18 at one points and kept the game within two at the end of the first quarter. But the U.S. used a 26-6 second quarter to blow the game open.

Despite the wide margin of victory, Team USA’s weakness in the paint was still somewhat prevalent, as it only outrebounded Croatia 38-37.

Croatia big men Ante Tomic and Bojan Bogdanovic also combined for 29 of the team’s 78 points.

The U.S. will face Slovenia on Sunday at 8:30 a.m on ESPN2.

Slovenia features several NBA players, including center Primoz Brezec of the Bucks and up-and-coming point guard Goran Dragic of the Suns.