The Americans arrived in Indianapolis for the World Basketball Championships knowing that, without the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan on the roster, they would be tested by a tough international field.
But not in the opening game. Not against Algeria.
In what amounted to a warmup drill at the RCA Dome on Thursday, the United States eased to a 110-60 victory over an Algerian team making its first-ever appearance in this tournament.
"This was a good start for us," guard Paul Pierce said. "Just to kind of get the jitters out."
But even with many of the NBA's top names taking a pass on this 11-day tournament, the U.S. still has Jermaine O'Neal, Shawn Marion and Andre Miller. On Thursday, it had Elton Brand scoring 17 points and Pierce making four of eight three-point attempts for 22.
The going should get tougher against Germany tonight and in later rounds. In its first game, Germany was led by Dirk Nowitzki's 30 points in an 88-76 victory over China. Yao Ming, China's 7-foot-5 center, was never a factor in scoring 16 points.
David Wharton
Golf
Wales' Becky Morgan, winless in two seasons on the LPGA Tour, shot a career-best nine-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead in the State Farm Classic at Springfield, Ill.
Morgan birdied seven of the last 10 holes, hit 17 greens in regulation and had only 26 putts in the bogey-free round on the Rail Golf Course.
France's Patricia Meunier-Lebouc opened with a 64, the best of her LPGA Tour career, and 47-year-old Betsy King was three strokes back at 66 along with U.S. Solheim Cup player Laura Diaz, Becky Iverson and Jen Hanna.
South Africa's David Frost shot a bogey-free six-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Air Canada Championship at Surrey.
Shigeki Maruyama, Peter Lonard, Scott Gump and Hank Kuehne opened with 66s, and 10 more players, including Tommy Tolles, David Gossett and Steve Lowery, shot 67s.
Phil Mickelson will not play in next week's Canadian Open after slightly injuring his back. Mickelson felt a twinge in his back while lifting luggage after returning from the NEC Invitational in Seattle earlier this week.
Jurisprudence
Former UCLA standout Duval Love, an offensive lineman for three teams, including the Rams, during a 12-year NFL career, was arrested on federal drug conspiracy charges in Tampa, Fla.
