ISTANBUL --- With nothing to play for, the United States looked as if it didn't want to play in the world championships.
Outworked and outhustled, the Americans led winless Tunisia by only four points early in the third quarter before turning the game into a rout over the final 15 minutes of a 92-57 victory Thursday.
Eric Gordon scored 21 points for the U.S., which had already clinched first place in its group and was more interested in getting through this one healthy -- which it didn't do -- than earning any style points.
"It happens," center Lamar Odom said. "These teams are pumped up to play against us. You're not going to always blow a team out in the first three or four minutes of a game."
That's often what's expected of the powerful U.S., though.
"It's kind of like the Tour de France, except you have to win every stage," U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "You have to look good in every stage."
The U.S. (5-0), seeded first in Group B, next plays on Monday against Angola, the No. 4 seed from Group A.
Reserve forward Rudy Gay sat out the second half with what was called a slightly pulled right groin. He is expected to be OK for the next game.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each scored 14 points for the U.S. team.
The Americans misfired on nine of 10 3-point attempts in the first half and failed to show any sustained stretches of good offense.
The Americans have time to clean it up, with three days off before playing their first elimination game.
"On these next few days, we have to get better," Krzyzewski said.
The U.S. opened with its three toughest opponents, then faced easy ones in Iran and Tunisia.
Chauncey Billups, who earned the nickname "Mr. Big Shot" for his clutch play in big games, attributes the sloppiness the last two nights to the fact that little was at stake.
"It's kind of tough, but the good thing about it is those games are over now and every game is as big as the next one now," Billups said.
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