James, Wade Lead U.S. Win Over Slovenia

After the United States whipped Slovenia, 114-95, Tuesday night at Sapporo, Japan, LeBron James was asked if he would guarantee a FIBA world championship.

“No way,” James said with a chuckle. “It’s too far away.”

But after three double-digit victories, the idea of the U.S. winning its first world championships since 1994 isn’t far-fetched.

The U.S. has won its Group D games against Puerto Rico, China and Slovenia by an average of 20.3 points. It hasn’t trailed after halftime.

The Americans face their sternest test in group play tonight against Italy, which improved to 3-0 with a 64-56 comeback victory over Senegal.

“We’re improving every game,” forward Shane Battier said. “If we can continue to play the defense we’ve shown in stretches for longer stretches, we’re going to be in very good shape for this championship.”

Dwyane Wade had 20 points to lead the U.S. in scoring for the second game in a row. Wade is the team’s top scorer, averaging 19.7 points a game.

James added 19 points, Elton Brand 16 and Carmelo Anthony 14 for the Americans, who shot 56% from the field.

In other games of note:

Nikos Zisis’ three-point basket with two seconds left lifted Greece to a 72-69 victory over Australia. Andrew Bogut led Australia with 18 points.... Turkey defeated Brazil, 73-71, when Leandro Barbosa missed two free throws with six seconds left.... Puerto Rico defeated China, 90-87, despite 29 points from Yao Ming. Elias Ayuso led Puerto Rico with 27 points.

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker will miss four to six weeks but won’t have surgery on the right index finger he broke playing for France in preparation for the world championship.

The Indiana Pacers re-acquired forward Al Harrington from the Atlanta Hawks for a first-round pick in the 2007 draft. Harrington, 26, spent his first six NBA seasons with the Pacers, averaging 10.1 points a game, before being traded to the Hawks in 2004. He averaged 18.1 points in two seasons with Atlanta.

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, the second pick in the draft, will have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right shoulder. Aldridge, 21, was acquired by Portland in a draft-day trade after being taken by the Chicago Bulls.

Golden State guard Jason Richardson had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, a procedure that shouldn’t keep him out of training camp. Richardson, a five-year pro, increased his scoring average in each of the last four seasons to 23.2 points a game last season.

TENNIS

Blake Is Upset at the Pilot Pen

Defending Pilot Pen champion James Blake squandered five match points before losing to Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, 2-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4), in the second round of the event at New Haven, Conn.

“This one’s going to hurt a while,” Blake said.

Lindsay Davenport, the defending women’s champion, defeated Katarina Srebotnik, 6-3, 6-3, to move into the second round.

MISCELLANY

Cricket Umpire Stands by Decision

The umpire who accused Pakistan cricket players of tampering with the ball during a match with England, causing the sport’s first international forfeit and causing an uproar in the Muslim nation, says “I stand by what I have done.”

Darrell Hair ruled Pakistan’s players illegally scuffed the ball to make it float unpredictably in the air Sunday during a five-day match in London.

NASCAR fined Carl Edwards $20,000 for intentionally hitting Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car at the end of the Busch Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

Edwards also was put on probation until the end of the year, but was not docked any points for Saturday’s altercation. He said he would not appeal the penalty.

Staten Island, N.Y., was eliminated from the Little League World Series with a 4-1 loss to Phoenix at South Williamsport, Pa. Lemont, Ill. topped Columbus, Ga., 2-0.

Having Tiger Woods winning the PGA Championship followed by an interview with Michael Jordan on “60 Minutes” worked well for CBS Sunday.

The golf tournament drew a 7.0 preliminary national rating with a 16 share of the audience, up from last year’s 5.6/13. And Ed Bradley’s interview with Jordan, a repeat, helped “60 Minutes” earn an 8.0/15, the news magazine show’s highest rating of the summer.

In Los Angeles, the PGA Championship got a 5.7/15, and “60 Minutes” a 6.3/13.

-- Larry Stewart

The Boston Bruins have re-signed Patrice Bergeron, their top scorer from last season, to a multiyear contract. Bergeron had 31 goals and 42 assists.

Ricardo La Volpe, who was Mexico’s soccer coach in the World Cup, has agreed to take over as manager of Argentina’s Boca Juniors when Alfio Basile steps down Sept. 15.