Team USA finally met an opponent at the FIBA Americas tournament that managed to keep the game respectable. The Americans clashed with Mexico and, although they won 127-100, it’s the closest they got to a test match.

The new Dream Team won all its matches at this tournament by at least 52 points and being outscored by their southern neighbors in the second quarter made them feel, for the first time at this tournament, a bit of adversity.

Mexico became the first at the FIBA Americas to record triple figures on the scoring board against the U.S. and finished 24 points better than Brazil, another test which turned out to be a pop quiz, in Sunday night's 113-76 victory.

"It was a different kind of game," U.S. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "But the credit goes to them. They never gave up. But I'm not going to complain about a [27]-point victory."

Carmelo Anthony tied the record in an Olympic qualifying match as he scored 28 points. The first 16 points came for Anthony in a sensational opening quarter, when the Americans shot 80 percent from the field.

Kobe Bryant, who shut down Leandro Barbosa last game, added 21 points, LeBron James provided 16 of his 19 points in the third quarter and Dwight Howard also scored 19 for Team USA.

Krzyzewski changed his starting lineup, but not with consequences as the transition proved uncomfortable and the team struggled in the first half before finding its rhythm. Chauncey Billups started at point guard replacing veteran Jason Kidd and Amare Stoudemire took Dwight Howard’s place at the centre position.

Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince didn’t play due to a sprained left ankle suffered in Sunday's game against Brazil.

The U.S. (5-0) will next play Puerto Rico (2-3), an upset winner, 97-75, over Brazil Monday.

In other tournament games former Olympic Champion Argentina eased past Venezuela 86-63 as Carlos Delfino recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds and his team mates scored 14 3 pointers. Canada won 95-88 over Uruguay as Jesse Young led in scoring with 22 points.