FIBA World Cup play is underway and as always, it doesn't take long for the better teams to separate themselves.
In opening round competition, Serbia crushed Angola 105-59, Poland got by Venezuela 80-69, Russia beat Nigeria but only by 82-77, Puerto Rico barely nipped Iran, 83-81, Italy whipped the Philippines 108-62, host China beat the Ivory Coast 70-55, Argentina crushed Korea 95-69 and Spain waylaid Tunisia 101-62.
The Russians are not what they used to be but when they controlled the Baltics and the basketball treasure trove that is Lithuania but even so, that’s a very close game.