After a dreamy start at Barcelona, Spain, in the venue where the American superstars dominated the world's best players 20 years ago, the 2012 Olympic team struggled. An early 20-point lead slipped away to a halftime score of 47-40.
Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant each had 14 points for the Americans. After a 19-3 opening run, the U.S. seemed to lose its motivation.
The Americans wore throwback uniforms that the 1992 Hall of Fame squad wore when it won the gold medal in this city.
The white uniforms with red and blue along the side and USA in the middle also contain the letters "CD" on the left shoulder in honor of Dream Team coach Chuck Daly, who died in 2009.
Argentina was expected to be a strong test for the Americans, especially since it included NBA players San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili and Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola.
"They are one of the top international teams. They have two of the greatest international players of all time in Ginobili and Scola," U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "You start by trying to defend them. It will be a good test for us."
The Americans will remain in Barcelona for another exhibition, this one also expected to be a strong challenge. Tuesday, the Yanks will face Spain, which is a power team. It includes Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, his brother Marc of the Memphis Grizzlies and Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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