Kevin Durant leads U.S. with 23 in 111-74 romp over Argentina

LAS VEGAS -- New team. Same old result.

Full of new star power, the U.S. men's basketball team opened its bid for a third straight Olympic gold medal Friday with a 111-74 exhibition romp over Argentina at T-Mobile Arena.

A U.S. team that hasn't lost a game in 10 years had little trouble with Argentina, which some consider to be a medal contender in Rio de Janeiro. Kevin Durant scored a game-high 23 points, Paul George added 18 and the U.S. blew open the game early before an appreciative crowd on the Las Vegas Strip.

Carmelo Anthony had 17 points, and DeMarcus Cousins had 14 points and 15 rebounds.

Even with Kobe Bryant retired and LeBron James taking this Olympics off, there was no real talent drop-off on a team heavily favored to win gold once again. The depth of the U.S. showed as coach Mike Krzyzewski rotated players in and out, searching for the right combinations on a team with 10 new players from 2012.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.