ISTANBUL — A basketball arena that was nearly covered in Slovenian green grew louder with every Team USA miss.
Playing a rare early game, the Americans had stalled after a quick start and their double-figure lead was down to five points as halftime approached.
Then, every time the Americans needed them, Kevin Durant seemed to get on the scoreboard and Kevin Love was on the backboard.
Durant scored 22 points, Love added 10 points and 11 rebounds in a gritty 13 minutes off the bench and Team USA defeated Slovenia 99-77 on Sunday in an opening-round game at the world championships.
“They did a great job of fighting, getting stops and making plays, and we know that we can’t go out here and blow every team out,” Durant said.
Rudy Gay finished with 16 points for the Americans (2-0). Russell Westbrook and Andre Iguodala each scored 11. Durant shot 8-of-13 before sitting out the fourth quarter and Love always seemed to be around the ball — even when a Slovenian player tried holding his arm so he couldn’t get it.
Bostjan Nachbar scored 13 points for Slovenia (1-1), which had an enormous edge in the stands but not enough to match the Americans on the court.
“I think we tried our best. We made Team USA play their best basketball, which was very important,” said Nachbar, who once played with the New Jersey Nets. “I think across 40 minutes you could see which team was better, I don’t think there was a question about it, but for us, especially for young players, it was a big confidence booster.”
Slovenian fans, many dressed in green shirts, lined the streets outside the arena about 90 minutes before tipoff. They filled large areas throughout the building, and stood and roared when the Slovenians came out for the pregame warm-ups.
There wasn’t as much for them to cheer about once the game started.
“We’re used to that playing in Spain and Greece, so it was cool,” Durant said.
