UNITED STATES 70, BRAZIL 68: The U.S. Team Stays Undefeated, if Underwhelming

"When I threw the ball, I thought it was going to go in, because I sent a little spin and everything," Barbosa said. "It didn't go in, but it's O.K."

Barbosa's shot rimmed out, foiling Brazil's second point-blank opportunity to force overtime in the final seconds of a 70-68 American victory in pool play at the world championships.

The win, which included Marcelo Huertas's missing two free throws with three and a half seconds remaining, essentially clinched Group B for the Americans, who are 3-0.

The Americans said they learned something from their ugly victory, but skeptics will point out that the stretches of listless effort and a sputtering offense exposed the United States team's immaturity, inexperience and vulnerability.

"I think it was a surprise for them," Barbosa said. "I don't think they thought we could do what we did. It was great. We're very happy for what we did."

The United States was too reliant on one-on-one play, was lazy on defense in the first half and got virtually nothing from the bench in the first half. In the fourth quarter, the United States made one field goal in the final 6 minutes 50 seconds.

"We can't worry about how much we win by or winning in the same fashion that other USA Basketball teams -- all that is out the window," said Chauncey Billups, who had 15 points. "All we have to do is get wins."

For Coach Mike Krzyzewski, the victory showed him that he has a team with enough character to eke out a win when it lacked energy. And for an American team light on experience, Billups showed that he could take over stretches of the game.

"The guys look for me to be me," Billups said. "Especially in games like this."

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