USA BEATS RUSSIA

Kobe Bryant once again provided the offense in the U.S. Olympic basketball team's first defensive struggle. Bryant scored 19 points, Carmelo Anthony added 17, and the Americans beat Russia 89-68 Sunday in what was by far their most competitive tuneup yet for the Beijing Games. The United States had been scoring 118 points per game while winning its first three exhibitions by an average of 41 points. Russia allowed far fewer fast-break baskets than the previous U.S. opponents, successfully keeping the game in the halfcourt and forcing the Americans to run more offensive sets. Dwyane Wade continued his strong play off the bench with 16 points as the USA gears up for their final exhibition game against Australia.