Rio 2016: USA recover from slow start to rout Venezuela
The favorites to top the podium thrashed Venezuela at the Rio Olympics, but only after a slow start.
Another game, another slow start for the United States, but in the end it was another blowout as they crushed Venezuela at the Rio Olympics.
USA recovered from an ugly first quarter to win 113-69 in the second game of group play at the Games on Monday.
Venezuela came out with a solid game plan, slowing the ball down and getting to the free-throw line consistently in the first quarter, and came away with an 18-18 tie after 10 minutes.
But a 30-8 run in the second quarter gave USA the breathing room they needed and it was smooth sailing after that.
"We just had to change the game," Paul George told NBC Sports.
"We had to adjust and adapt to how this game was going. This is a different game, we're still getting used to it."
George led a balanced USA scoring effort with 20 points, going six-for-seven from the field.
Four other players finished in double figures, including Kevin Durant, who scored 16 points and carried USA offensively in the first quarter.
USA will return to action against Australia on Wednesday.
