U.S. Routs Puerto Rico

Tim Duncan had 21 points and 15 rebounds and the United States broke the game open with a 10-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat Puerto Rico, 101-74, in an exhibition game Sunday in front of 16,473 at Madison Square Garden.

It was the only tuneup for the Americans before beginning play Wednesday night in the Olympic basketball qualifying tournament at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The game, originally scheduled for Friday night, was postponed because of Thursday’s blackout in the northeastern United States and Canada.

This was the first game in a big arena for this version of the U.S. senior national team, and it became apparent right away how much the Americans missed Duncan last summer when they finished sixth at the World Championships.

Duncan had 11 of the U.S. team’s first 15 points and finished the first quarter with 15. Tracy McGrady scored 15 points and Ray Allen 14 for the Americans, who outscored Puerto Rico, 26-8, in the fourth quarter.