ISTANBUL — With nothing to play for, the United States looked as if it didn’t want to play.
Outworked and outhustled, the Americans led winless Tunisia by only four points early in the third quarter before turning the game into a rout over the final 15 minutes of a 92-57 victory Thursday in the world championship.
Eric Gordon scored 21 points for the U.S., which had already clinched first place in its group and was more interested in getting through this one healthy — which it didn’t do — than earning style points.
The Americans (5-0), seeded first in Group B, next play Monday against Angola, the No. 4 seed from Group A.
Forward Rudy Gay sat out the second half with what was called a slightly pulled right groin. He is expected to be ready to face Angola.
The U.S. misfired on 9-of-10 3-pointers in the first half and failed to show any sustained stretches of good offense.
Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups attributes the sloppiness the last two games to the fact that little was at stake.
“It’s kind of tough, but the good thing about it is those games are over now and every game is as big as the next one now,” Billups said.
