Mexico is a test, but U.S. prevails

LAS VEGAS -- Coaches and players alike normally sneer at the mere mention of moral victories.

But when you’re a struggling team stuck at the bottom of your bracket playing the latest version of an American dream team, you take your victories where you can find them.

And on Monday night in the FIBA Tournament of the Americas at Thomas & Mack Center, Mexico found itself in a spot the four previous U.S. opponents in this tournament could only dream of. The Mexicans found themselves in a game. Not an exhibition, not a layup drill, not a glorified practice, but a game in which it they were competitive.

Better than merely competitive in the second quarter, when they outscored the U.S. to finish the first half behind by only 14, the smallest deficit of any U.S. opponent at intermission.

Inevitably, reality sunk in, talent prevailed and the U.S. cruised through the fourth quarter to win, 127-100.

But there was no shame in that for a Mexican team that began play with a 1-3 record, averaging 88.8 points to 115.3 for the U.S.

Mexico not only became the first team to reach triple figures against the U.S., but finished 24 points better than the second-highest total, reached by Brazil 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.”

Romel Beck, on the Mexican squad after playing his collegiate ball in this town at Nevada Las Vegas, didn’t use the term “moral victory” afterward, but he made it clear his team had come away with a performance on which it could build.

“We came out to play hard, and this is something we can carry over to the next game,” said Beck, who finished with a team-high 20 points.

After watching the U.S. beat up all of its previous opponents, never winning by fewer than 37 points, was Beck intimidated about taking the court against such a powerhouse?

“If you have fear, you shouldn’t go out on the court,” Beck responded.

And what about going head to head against Kobe Bryant?

“Whatever,” Beck said. “He’s a basketball player, and I’m a basketball player.”

Carmelo Anthony led the U.S. in scoring with 28 points, Bryant adding 21 on a night when the U.S. shot 58% from the field.

Krzyzewski changed his starting lineup, inserting Chauncey Billups at point guard in place of Jason Kidd and Amare Stoudemire in at center in place of Dwight Howard and the transition proved awkward, the team struggling to stay ahead at the start before finding its rhythm.

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

Tayshaun Prince sat out because of a mildly sprained left ankle, an injury suffered in Sunday’s game against Brazil.

steve.springer@latimes.com