LAS VEGAS (2007 FIBA Americas Championship) - In a highly anticipated matchup that determined Group B's top team for the Preliminary Round of play at the FIBA Americas Championship 2007, the United States knocked off Brazil 113-76.

The USA opened the game on an 8-0 run and led by as many as 49 points on a night when Brazil's top scorer, Leandro Barbosa, was limited to just four points.

Barbosa had no answer for the suffocating defense he faced, the bulk of it being applied by Kobe Bryant.

Barbosa shot just one-of-seven from the field and scored well below his tournament average of 27.

The United States held a 27-21 lead after the opening quarter, but began to distance itself in the second. LeBron James' near half-court three-pointer to beat the first-half horn put the USA up 57-38.

After outscoring Brazil 39-11 in the third quarter, the USA held a 96-49 advantage.

The trio of Carmelo Anthony (21 points), James (21 points) and Bryant (20 points) did the bulk of the damage offensively for the United States on an evening in which the size of the lead didn't require any of them to play so much as a minute in the final quarter.

The United States will open the second round of play on Monday against Mexico, while the Brazilians will face either Panama or Puerto Rico.

Note: Tayshaun Prince left the game early in the first half for the USA due to an ankle injury.