While the USA and Iran have had major beefs with each other politically since 1979, the political frostiness doesn't extend to the world of sport. Team USA played Iran in a FIBA World Championship Group B matchup in which the stakes were clear. Win the game and you not only clinch the top spot in the group, but get two days off before you take on the 4th seeded team from Group A on September 4.
After another slow start that found Team USA briefly trailing the scrappy Iranians 5-3, Team USA woke up and took the lead for good on a Kevin Durant jumper with 6:23 to go in the period. Iran stayed close and only trailed 19-13 at the end of the first period thanks to the fearless play of power forward and Rice University baller Arsalan Kazemi and team captain and point guard Mahdi Kamrani.
Team USA stepped up the pressure in the second quarter to expand their advantage by halftime to 42-28. They outscored the Iranians 46-23 in the second half to secure the victory and move to 4-0 in group play.
Team USA had four players in double figures and scoring contributions from everyone for the second time. Kevin Love was the high point man off the bench with 13 while Kevin Durant scored 12 in 20 minutes of work
Team USA's final game in Group B play is with 0-4 Tunisia at 9:30 AM EDT
