Le Basketbawl

Eating Turkey might make you tired, but playing Turkey certainly did not have that effect on Team USA in Macau on Thursday. LeBron James right ankle looked none the worse for the wear, as he scored a team high 20 points, to lead Team USA over Turkey 114-82. LBJ was one of six players on the USA squad to score in double figures. The contest was one of three tuneup games the United States will play in Asia before the Beijing Olympics. The two teams played a close first quarter, as Team USA looked out of sync, and led by a razor thin 31-30 margin at the end of the period. But the Americans broke out in the second quarter as they went on 23-7 run, and led at the half 54-37.

Team USA shot 69.5% from the field (41-59) for the game. James played stellar defense as well as leading the team offensively, he shot 8-9, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists, and did not leave the bench in the fourth quarter. Carmelo Anthony scored 17 points, center Dwight Howard had 14 points, and 8 boards. D-Wade and Chris Bosh each scored 13, Chris Paul scored 12 points in the game.

Guard Cenk Annkoyl led all scorers with 22 points, for the team from Turkey. They had four players in double figures and shot a respectable 43.9% from the floor (29-66) for the game. Turkey was without Hedo Turkoglu, and Mehmet Okur who both were out with injuries.