USA hammers Canada in basketball exhibition

Last Updated: Friday, July 25, 2008 | 11:42 PM ET

The Associated Press

Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors dunks while playing for the U.S. in an exhibition Friday against Canada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Dwyane Wade stepped into the starting lineup for LeBron James and scored 20 points in his first action in more than four months as the United States beat Canada 120-65 on Friday night in Las Vegas in the opener of its exhibition schedule.

James, the NBA's leading scorer, missed the game because of a mildly sprained right ankle, but the Americans have plenty of offence without him. Carmelo Anthony and Michael Redd also finished with 20 points each, and Kobe Bryant added 15.

Jermaine Anderson led Canada with 18 points. Rowan Barrett and Carl English each added 11.

The Americans made 16 of their first 20 shots and ended at 65.7 per cent (44-of-67), getting plenty of layups and dunks at a sold out Thomas & Mack Center in their lone game on home soil before completing their Olympic preparations in China.

Wade was forced to shut down his NBA season in March due to a left knee injury.

Wade made a three-pointer in the opening minutes and had no trouble driving to the basket, hitting his first five shots. He threw down a dunk to put the Americans over the century mark with 7:25 remaining in the game, and finished 7-of-10.

Canada has played games already this summer, failing to reach the Olympics through a qualifying tournament in Greece earlier this month, and was sharp early. The Canadians were able to penetrate into the paint and set up their three-point shooters, going 5-of-8 from behind the arc in the first quarter and trailing just 30-24.

The Americans tightened the defence in the second, forcing 10 turnovers and limiting the Canadians to 3-for-11 shooting and pulling away for a 61-38 lead by halftime.

U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski sent Chris Paul and Deron Williams, expected to battle for the No. 2 point guard spot behind Jason Kidd, into the game together midway through the first quarter. Paul quickly found Anthony with an alley-oop pass for a dunk. The two point guards scored off turnovers seconds apart late in the second quarter, increasing the U.S. lead to 60-35.

Williams scored 14 points and Paul added 11 points and eight assists.

The lead ballooned into the 40s when Kidd threw a length of the court pass to Anthony, who passed it back to Chris Bosh streaking in for a dunk. Wade followed with his breakaway slam, making it 101-58.

James was hurt during a scrimmage on Tuesday. Though his ankle is feeling better, the U.S. staff preferred to rest him to avoid further swelling before the long plane flight to China this weekend.

The Americans continue their preparations in China, playing two games in Macau and two more in Shanghai before arriving in Beijing. They face the host Chinese in their Olympic opener on Aug. 10.

Canada lost 83-62 to Croatia last week in its last chance to qualify for the Beijing Games, going 1-2 at the FIBA Olympic qualifying tourney.

The team also endured dissension, with coach Leo Rautins sending home centre Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers over commitment issues.

Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks expressed surprise this week over the development. Cheeks said he hadn't encountered any issues with Dalembert's attitude.

Rautins is in the final year of his contract as coach of the national team.

© The Canadian Press, 2008