RIO DE JANEIRO _ Kevin Durant had 25 points as the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team opened its Rio de Janeiro schedule with a 119-62 romp over China Saturday before a lively, near-capacity crowd at Carioca Arena 1.
The victory was the 18th straight in Olympic competition for Team USA. Overall, the U.S. men's team has won 69 consecutive games in international competitions since 2006.
Durant, who signed with Golden State as a free agent this summer, also had six assists, and DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings had 17 points. Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, who has become the team's unquestioned leader in his fourth Olympic tournament, had nine points, seven rebounds and two assists as the U.S. team used its superior depth and skill to pull away midway through the first quarter.
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan came off the bench to pull down seven rebounds and was credited with one steal, while going three for 10 from the free-throw line.
Yi Jianlian had 25 points for China, which had lost to the U.S. by 49 points and by 50 points in pre-Olympic exhibition games at Staples Center and in Oakland.
The U.S. men's next opponent will be Venezuela on Monday, also at Carioca Arena 1.
