USA thumps S. Korea in final exhibition game

SEOUL, South Korea -- A 53-point win over South Korea wrapped up a perfect Asian exhibition tour for a star-studded U.S. team on its way to the world championships.

LeBron James scored 23 points Tuesday to lead the Americans to a 116-63 win over South Korea in their final tuneup for the world championships. The U.S. squad went 5-0 in exhibitions leading up to the worlds, which begin Saturday in Japan.

"We were a little sluggish at first and I was able to pick up my energy level and the guys followed," James said. "We got better as the game went on and took care of business."

U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said he was pleased with the progress the team has made since its first exhibition game against Puerto Rico on Aug. 3, a game the Americans won 114-69.

"We're proud of our team," Krzyzewski said. "We had two good games here in Korea and it's exciting the way we've played to get ready."

Dwyane Wade and Elton Brand scored 16 points each against South Korea, and the United States also got 13 points from Carmelo Anthony.

In other exhibition games leading up to the world championships, Vasilis Spanoulis scored 12 points to help Greece defeat Germany 84-47 in the final of the Stankovic Cup in Kunshan, China. Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki was held to nine points for Germany.

Boris Diaw of the Phoenix Suns scored 15 points to lead France to third place in the Stankovic Cup with an 86-74 victory over Brazil. Suns teammate Leandro Barbosa scored a game-high 29 points for Brazil, but the Brazilians lost Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Verejao to a foot injury.

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets scored the winning basket and had 21 points to lift China past Australia 63-61 to capture fifth place in the tournament. The Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bogut had 20 points for Australia.