Sports

Kevin Durant scored 25 points and made two crucial late blocks as the United States hung on for an 86-85 victory over Spain on Sunday (22 August) in Madrid, in a warmup match for the world championship.

Juan Carlos Navarro scored 20 points and Derrick Rose 13 in the first match between the teams since the Americans won the 2008 Olympic final.

It was the first loss in nine games for Spain, the defending world champion.

In preparation for the upcoming FIBA world championships, the United States faced Spain in a warm up match on Sunday at the La Caja M?gica Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

Kevin Durant''s dunk off a turnover - his third straight basket - gave the Americans an 8-0 lead, midway through the first quarter.

Derrick Rose knocked down a 3 pointer to extend USA''s lead to 16-3 with four minutes left in the opening quarter

USA led 23-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Chauncey Billups fed Lamar Odom underneath for a slam to to put the Americans on top 30-20 with just over seven minutes left in the second quarter.

USA led 45-33 at the end of the half.

That lead was extended when Durant launched in a three pointer to give the Americans a 55-47 advantage, midway through the third quarter. Durant would go to top score in the match with 25 points.

USA led 69-58 at the end of the third.

Spain went on a run to close the gap in the final quarter of play. Juan Carlos Navarro found Marc Gasol for an easy basket to cut the deficit to 76-72, with four and half minutes left.

Spain''s Ricky Rubio hit a jumper from the free throw line to make it a two point game, with three suspense filled minutes remaining.

With less than two minutes left, Spain took their first lead of the game 82-80 on Felipe Reyes'' layup off a pass from Rubio.

Rose dropped in a layup over Gasol with 33 seconds left to move the Americans back in front 84-82. Rose scored 13 points for USA.

Navarro answered with a three point play to put Spain back on top 85-84 with 27 seconds left in regulation. Navarro scored 20 points in the contest.

After Rose put the Americans ahead with two free throws, Durant blocked shots from Ricky Rubio and Rudy Fernandez as time expired to seal USA''s 86-85 win over Spain.

It was the first loss in nine games for Spain, the defending world champion.

The world championships will be held from August 28 to September 12 in Turkey.